SECL Gevra mine obtains EC to expand capacity by 33%
Gevra, owned by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) which is based in Chhattisgarh, is poised to become the largest coal mine in Asia. Recently, it received environmental clearance to expand its production capacity from the current 52.5 million tonnes (mnt) per annum to 70 mnt.
Currently, it has a strike length of approximately 10 km and a breadth of 4 km and SECL has been using state-of-the-art technology here to extract coal. The mine utilizes eco-friendly blast-free mining technologies such as surface miner and ripper mining. Additionally, it employs high-capacity heavy earth moving machines (HEMM) like the 42 Cum shovel and 240-tonn dumper combination for efficient overburden removal. Notably, the mine boasts first-mile connectivity, featuring conveyer belts, silos, and a rapid loading system (RLS), ensuring swift and eco-friendly coal evacuation.
Gevra stands as a significant mega project for SECL in Chhattisgarh, playing a crucial role in meeting the production and supply targets of Coal India to fulfill India’s energy needs. Gevra already holds the distinction of being the largest coal mine in the country since 2023.
SECL, the second-largest coal-producing subsidiary of the public sector miner Coal India, trails only behind Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL). Between April 2023 and February 2024, MCL produced 184.9 mnt, whereas SECL recorded a production of 162.3 mnt, accounting for 24% of the total coal production and marking a y-o-y growth of 12.4%.
Upon reaching a coal production capacity of 70 mnt, Gevra is poised to surpass the KPC Operation coal mine of Kaltim Prima Coal, a subsidiary of PT Bumi Resources in Indonesia. Tata Power, having a 30% stake in KPC, has rated its production capacity at 60 mnt.