Bilaspur, 21 March : SECL’s Gevra project located in Korba district has created history by producing 50 million tons of coal. It has become the first coal mine in the country to reach the 50 million tonne club.
This year, the Gevra mine has set a target of 52 million tons, which the area is expected to achieve before the end of the fiscal year. Along with production, the Gevra area has also reached very close to the target of coal dispatch of 50 million tons (actual 49.08 million tons).
Gevra mine has carved a special place for itself among Coal India’s projects through the incorporation of modern and eco-friendly mining technology. Blasting free surface mining technology is used in mining, while rapid loading system along with conveyor belt equipped silos is used for transportation of coal. The mine uses modern HEMM like 42 cubic metresm Shovel-240 tonne dumper for over burden removal (OBR), while equipment like long distance fog canon machine has been employed for environmental protection.
Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi has tweeted his congratulations on joining the 50 million club by Gevra project. On this momentous occasion, SECL CMD Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra and Functional Directors themselves reached the Gevra project and congratulated the team of Gevra area and rewarded them. Speaking to the media on the occasion, Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra said that there is immense potential for development and expansion in Gevra. It is currently being developed at 70 million tons, but may be expanded further in the future.
SECL on Monday surpassed the highest ever annual production of 157.43 million tons of coal, surpassing the previous high of 157.35 million tons achieved in 2018-19.
The development of Gevra area is very crucial for the progress of SECL as the area has high reserves of coal that can be used to produce electricity for the whole country for 10 years.
- Gevra Mine produced 50 million tons of coal and is the only mine in the country to produce 50 million tons of coal in a given year.
- The mine uses modern and eco-friendly technology like Surface Miner to produce coal, which is blasting-free technology and does not adversely affect the environment.
- A high capacity 42 cubic meter shovel and 240 tons of dumper are used for OBR, which is a very high capacity HEMM machine used worldwide.
- In order to protect the environment, long range mist fogging machines have been installed along with water sprinklers, which reduce dust particles in the air.
- A mechanized facility equipped with conveyor belt has been set up at Gevra for transportation of coal and automatic loading of coal is done in railway wagons through high-capacity silos.
- About 700 personnel work per shift in the Gevra mine.
- Gevra still has a reserve of 1000 million tons of coal, which is alone capable of providing coal for energy supply to the country for about 10 years according to the current coal production of the entire country.
- Out of 52 million tons of coal, about 14 million tons through delegated mine, about 22 million tons through railway wagons and 15 million tons through road and washery mode is proposed to be supplied to NTPC.
- The Gevra mine has been making continuous efforts for the country’s energy supply for the last nearly 40 years. Technically, with an average stripping ratio of 1:075, on an average G-11 grade coal is found here. The strike length of the mine is about 10 kilometers, its width is 4 kilometers and thus intensive mining is done in about 40 square kilometers.
