Assignment No.

: 1

Worlds Ten Highest Producing Surface Coal Mines

Prepared by: Mahesh Prakash Purohit

1. North Antelope Rochelle Mine

The North Antelope Rochelle Mine is Americas largest and most productive coal
mine, offering some of the lowest sulfur coal in America. The mine shipped 110.9
million tons of compliance coal during 2013, and more than 1.8 billion tons since the
mine began. Remaining coal reserves dedicated to the mine cover nearly 28,000
acres with about 2.4 billion tons of recoverable coal. The mine is located 65 miles
south of Gillette, Wyo. The coal seam mined is the Wyodak-Anderson, which ranges
from 60- to 80-feet thick and lies from 100 to 400 feet below the surface in the
reserve area.

The North Antelope Mine began operation in late 1983, with the Rochelle Mine
beginning production in late 1985. The two mines were combined in 1999, becoming
the largest coal mining operation in the United States. The complex currently has a
workforce of approximately 1,300 people, and annually injects approximately $128
million into the regional economy in wages and benefits. The complex uses three
draglines and five truck-and-shovel fleets for overburden removal and operates on
two 12-hour shifts per day, 365 days per year.

The coal is mined from three pits and is hauled by truck to one of four hoppers at the
complex, where it is crushed, conveyed to silos, and then to the loadouts. Coal
quality averages approximately 8,800 Btu/lb. and 0.20 percent sulfur, making North
Antelope Rochelle coal the cleanest in the United States.

Two concentric loop tracks connect with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union
Pacific railroads joint trackage. The loading facilities consist of two 10,000 ton-per-
hour loadouts, one on each loop. The loop tracks are capable of handling 150 cars
per unit train. Coal from the complex is currently delivered to more than 40 electricity
generating customers operating more than 80 power plants throughout the United
States.

North Antelope Rochelles industry-leading safety and reclamation practices have

been recognized with numerous awards over the past several years, including an
Excellence in Surface Mining Award from the Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality in 2011 and an Excellence in Surface Coal mining and reclamation honor
from the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2012.

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2. Haerwusu Coal Mine, China
Haerwusu Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China's largest open-
cast coal mine, recently started production.

Covering an area of 67 square kilometers, Haerwusu mine lies in the middle of the
Zhungeer Coalfield. Its coal reserves total about 1.73 billion tons. At the moment it is
the open-cast coal mine with the largest production capacity in China. Its annual
output is estimated to be 20 million tons of crude coal and it is scheduled to operate
for near 80 years. Work on the mine started in May 2006 and the total investment
topped 7 billion yuan.

3. Hei Dai Gou Mine

Hei Dai Gou Mine is one of Chinas largest open pit mines belonging to Shenhua
Zhungeer Energy Co. Ltd, and is one of Zhungeers main mines. Zhungeer itself is
one of the state's key projects stemming from the 8th Five-Year Plan (covering the
period from 1991-95) and formal production began in 1999. Situated in the central
Zhungeer Coalfield in Inner Mongolia (Figure 1), it is conveniently located about 10
kilometers (6 miles) from Shenhua Zhungeer Energy head quarters in Xuejiawan,
150km (94 miles) south of Hohhot and 150km (94 miles) south west of the city of
Ordos. It is connected to these locations by relatively good highways. It can also be
reached directly via the Dazhun electrified railway and a conventional railway linking
it to Hohhot is under construction. Figure 1. Hei Dai Gou mine location. Hei Dai Gou
open mine (Figure 2) has a planned mining area of 42 square kilometers with
recoverable coal reserves amounting to 1.5 billion tonnes and an initial design
capacity of 12 million tonnes which has risen considerably. The coal quality is ideal
for power generation CHINAS FIRST AC POWERED WALKING DRAGLINE 4
containing low sulphur (<0.05) and low phosphorus (<0.05).

In its first few years of production, output grew by 1.5 million tonnes annually. It
yielded over 10 million tonnes in 2002, which pushed it into the Chinese category of
super-large surface mines (yielding 10 million tonnes annually). It reached full
production in 2003 with the crude coal output amounting to 14 million tonnes.

Hei Dai Gou has continued to increase and improve its production capacity, in 2004,
it yielded 17 million tonnes of raw coal and in 2006 yielded 20 million tonnes, which
made it one of the largest open mines in China. Finally, in 2007, coal output reached
26 million tonnes and Hei Dai Gou became the number one surface coal mine in
China. This coal not only provided sufficient supply for surrounding power stations,
but additional coal was also shipped into southern China.

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Mining Operations

Hei Dai Gou Open Pit Mine has applied a number of integrated mining technologies
in the overburden removal process, for the upper loess layer averaging 49 meters
(160 feet) thick; it uses four bucket wheel excavators with conveyors running around
the pit to the dump areas. For the middle rock layer averaging 56 meters (184 feet),
it uses electric mining shovels loading into mining trucks and the 8750 walking
dragline in a cast-blast/direct spoil application. For the bottom coal layer averaging
28.8 meters (95 feet), it again uses electric mining shovels loading into mining trucks
which discharge into semi-mobile crushing stations and belt conveyors. Advanced
mining equipment has been imported form the United States, Germany, Japan, the
United Kingdom and Canada. Main surface equipment includes four sets of Bucket
Wheel Systems from Krupp (Germany), Six 32m3 (42 cubic yard) Bucyrus 395B
Excavators and one P&H 2800 mining shovel. In addition, there are four domestically
built 10m3 (13 cubic yard) capacity shovels as well as a 20m3 (26.15 cubic yard)
and 35m3 (45.77cubic yard) model manufactured in China. Truck fleets from
domestic production are in operation and Komatsu models 630E and 730E range in
capacity from 154 mt to 185mt (170 205t) . In addition, there are four domestic built
10m3 (13 cubic yard) capacity shovels as well as a 20m3 (26 cubic yard) and 35m3
(46 cubic yard) model manufactured in China.

4. Minas Moatize Coal Mine, Tete, Mozambique

Minas Moatize Coal Mine is located near Tete Province, in Mozambique. The mine is
owned and operated by Beacon Hill Resources (BHR), through its subsidiary BHR
Mining.

Beacon Hill has been managing the Minas Moatize coal mine since May 2010. It
acquired the mine from the former owners Borneo Mining / AMCI for $35m and
converted the underground operations to an open-pit operation.

The mining license of Minas Moatize is valid until July 2015. The mine has a life of
14 years.

Global Coke signed an agreement with Beacon Hills Resources in November 2011
to off-take 600,000 tons each year (t/y) of coking coal for the life-time of the mine.
The developer is also looking for other off-take partners and potential marketers.

BHR entered into a marketing partnership with Vitol Group in March 2012, as part of
which the latter will market and export the coal produced at Minas Moatize.

The mine will see an expansion of the open-pit operations in the second half of 2012,
subject to approval from the government.

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Proven and probable coal reserves and hard coking coal production
The mine has proven reserves of 25.45 million tons (Mt) and probable reserves of
17.2Mt. The estimated mineable reserves are 42.65Mt and marketable reserves are
23.45Mt.

Beacon Hills is planning to produce about 100,000t of coking coal in 2012. The mine
produces hard coking coal of 68-71 coke strength after reaction (CSR) range for the
steel industry. It is expected to be priced at $206.09/t, as per the free on-board
(FOB) basis in Australia.

Mining and processing of coal from Mozambique's Minas Moatize deposit

The mining area of Minas Moatize lies in the Chipanga Seam at the centre of the
Moatize coking coal basin. Mining operations have been historically done with a pillar
mining system using a scraper winch. The mining has now been limited to small
scale open-pit operations.

BHR started mining of thermal coal from the first open pit, Trial Pit 1 (TP1), in the
second quarter of 2011. The first wash plant (a temporary coal handling and
preparation plant) was commissioned in the first half of that year. The plant is
expected to process the coal at a rate of 100t/h. It is equivalent to 600,000t/y of run-
of-mine (ROM) coal.

The first export shipment of the thermal coal from the mine was in December 2011.
About 10,650t of coal was transported to the Port of Beira through trucks and
shipped using the MV Aztec Maiden bulk carrier vessel.

Mining of hard coking coal from Upper Chipanga Pit (UCP), the second open pit at
the mine, started in March 2012. The coal will be exported from mid-2012.

Beacon Hill Resources' expansion feasibility study of Minas Moatize coal mine
Beacon Hill Resources completed a $1.7m definitive feasibility study (DFS) on the
proposed expansion of the Minas Moatize mine in February 2012. A joint venture of
TWP Australia Projects and its parent company Basil Read were the DFS
consultants.

If approved, the expansion will include construction of a 750t/h feed rate capacity
coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP). Mining from the proposed open pit mine
expansion is expected to begin during the second half of 2012. Expansion is
expected to produce 4Mt/y of ROM and 2Mt/y of saleable coal for the life-time of the
mine.

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Contractors involved with BHR's Minas Moatize coal mine project
Basil Read Mining will be the contractor for the opencast mining. Basil Read Turnkey
Projects will construct the opencast mine and build, own and operate the CHPP.

BHR Mining took the help of ALS and M&L, and ACT-UIS for sampling tests of the
coal core. Resource modelling services were provided by Sound Mining Solution
(SMS).

Transporting and handling coal produced from the African deposit

Local logistics contractor, Transportes Lalgy, is trucking the coal using a fleet of 40
trucks, each capable of 36t of load capacity. The fleet is expected to transport
0.5Mt/y of coal to the Port of Beira.

Beacon Hills is also in talks with the Mozambique Government for allocation of the
refurbished Sena Railway Line for transportation of the coal to the port. The 574km
railway line will significantly reduce transportation costs and facilitate exportation of
larger volumes of coal, up to 12Mt/y.

5. Black Thunder Mine

Black Thunder
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
Thunder Basin Coal Company Thunder Basin Coal Company Region:
P.O. Box 406 5669 Highway 450 Powder
Wright, WY 82732 Wright, WY 82732 River Basin
Phone: (307) 939-1300 Location:
Campbell
County, Wyoming
Mine Type:
Surface
Equipment:
Six draglines, 22 shovels, 148 haul trucks
Sales:
(2014) 101.2 million tons
Prep Plant:
No
Transportation:
Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail systems
Quality:
Arch Coal Products Guide
Other:

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Black Thunder is one of the largest single coal mining complexes in the world and
the first coal mine in the world to ship 1 billion tons

Advanced equipment and technologies

The scale of coal mining operations at Black Thunder is staggering. Machinery

dwarfs everyday dimensions. Draglines, the largest machines operating at the mine,
remove much of the rock and clay that lies above the coal seam. Of the six draglines
located at the mine, two are among the largest in the world. One of these weighs
14.7 million pounds, is 238 feet tall, and has a bucket that can carry up to 164 cubic
yards of material. It can dig an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 25 minutes.

6. Peak Downs

Peak Downs is a large open cut coking coal mine in Queensland located 31 km SSE
of Moranbah.[1] Peak Downs is one of seven mines in Bowen Basin owned by BMA,
Australias largest coal miner and exporter. Production at Peak Downs started in
1972.

The Caval Ridge Coal Mine, which will be located adjacent to Peak Downs, will
begin being constructed in 2011 and exporting by 2014. It is expected to process
2.5 million tons of coal each year from Peak Downs.[2]

7. Mt Arthur Australia

Mt Arthur is the biggest coal mine in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales,
Australia. Located near the town of Muswellbrook, the Mt Arthur coal mine produces
thermal coal used for power generation and is sold in both the domestic and export
markets.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton, the mine's full production capacity is

20Mtpa (million tons per annum) of raw energy coal.

The company announced an expansion plan for the mine on 24 July 2009 to boost
coal production from 11.5Mtpa to 15Mtpa. The expansion project was approved by
the New South Wales Government in June 2010 and completed in the first quarter of
2011.

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Expansion
The expansion plan for the coal mine required an investment of A$260m. The
expansion resulted in a 3.5Mtpa increase in thermal saleable coal production. The
run-of-mine coal production in turn is expected to increase to 20Mtpa.

In addition to the expansion plan, a new third coal loading facility at the Port of
Newcastle was developed by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, a consortium in
which BHP holds a 35.5% stake. Construction of the Newcastle Third Port was
completed in June 2010, at a cost of A$390m.

Production
Mt Arthur is an open-cut coal mine with its mining activities centred on 21 unique
seams. These seams were discovered and identified in the initial exploration
activities undertaken by the company.

Mining and exploration areas of Mt Arthur coal mine comprise Bayswater no. 2 lease,
Bayswater no. 3 lease and the Mt Arthur north lease. Mining at Bayswater no. 2
started in 1968, at Bayswater no. 3 in 1995 and at Mt Arthur North lease in 2002. In
recent years, the company has been focussing more on the Mt Arthur North lease
area.

The mine produces three products for the export market MA-12 (12.0%ad ASH
product), MA-14 (14.0%ad ASH product) and MA-16 (16.0%ad ASH product).

Mining and processing

The mined coal is moved by truck to the coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP)
located near the mine. The coal is then dumped into two hoppers in the CHPP.

The coal goes through initial crushing at the base of the two hoppers. From there the
product is transported by a conveyor to the crushing station. Once the coal is
crushed it is screened, cleaned and sorted to suit the market requirements.

The CHPP is capable of handling 2,000t of raw coal an hour, which is fed through
the crusher. It can also handle 1,200t of coal an hour for preparation.

Transport
After the coal is crushed it is transported to three locations the local stockpile, the
export stockpile and the export coal rail load-out facility.

Coal from the local stockpile is further transported to the Liddell and Bayswater
power stations by a 10km overland conveyor.

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The stock from the export stockpile is transported to the export coal rail load-out
facility. Two-thirds of coal from this facility is transported to the Port of Newcastle for
export.

Equipment
The company uses huge equipment including trucks, shovels, excavators, dozers,
graders, drills and water carts.

Trucks are used to transport coal to various locations and electric shovels are used
to handle overburden. Coal is loaded into the trucks with excavators.

8. Caballo Mine
Caballo Mine is located in Campbell County about 20 miles southeast of Gillette,
Wyo., amid rolling uplands that support ranching and wildlife, as well as dry-land
farming. The mine began production in 1978. The mine shipped 9 million tons of coal
in 2013 and controls about 852 million tons of reserves that are recoverable by
surface mining methods. Coal is mined from the Smith and Wyodak-Anderson
seams and averages about 68 feet in thickness; overburden is about 230-feet thick.

The mine operates on a seven-day-per-week schedule with two 12-hour shifts daily.
Caballo, one of the nations safest mines, has a workforce of approximately 275. Its
coal is delivered to more than a dozen coal-based utilities located throughout the
central United States.

Caballo is a cast blast, dozer-push, and truck and shovel operation. Coal is loaded
with shovels and hauled to a hopper by end-dump trucks, where it is crushed and
handled at a capacity up to 6,000 tons per hour. Crushed coal is transported to four
storage silos by way of a 60-inch conveyor belt.

Three inbound and two outbound tracks are in place connecting with the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads. The train-loading facilities are located
over the loop tracks and are capable of handling unit trains carrying up to 135 cars.
Trains are loaded using a flood-loading stage in conjunction with a batch weigh
topping system. Typical loading times average two hours per train, and Caballo is
capable of loading up to nine trains daily.

9. Raspadskaya Coal Mine

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The Raspadskaya Coal Mine is a coal mine located in Mezhdurechensk, Kemerovo
Oblast, Russia. It is the largest coal and the largest underground mine in Russia.
[1]
The mine was opened in 1973 and its construction was completed in 1977. In
addition to the main underground mine, the mining complex also includes MUK-96
underground mine, Raspadskaya Koksovaya underground mine, and Razrez
Raspadsky open-pit mine, as also the Raspadskaya preparation plant. [2]

Raspadskaya's total resources were estimated at 1,461 million tons and total coal
reserves at 782 million ton (JORC standards, according to IMC Consulting report as
of June 2006, of which 22 million tons produced by 31 March 2008). [2] Based on the
volume produced in 2007, reserves-to-production ratio amounts to about 55 years of
production.[citation needed] The complex produces 10% of Russia's coking coal.[3]

The mine is owned and operated by Raspadskaya OAO (Russian:

), a Russian publicly listed coal company. The mine was privatized in
1991. The company was listed in 2006. Chairman of the company is Alexander Vagin
and managing director is Gennady Kozovoy. In 2012, the revenue of the company
was US$541.7 million and net income was $0.9 million. The number of employees is
7,863.[citation needed]

The company export to Ukraine and Eastern Europe and its in the process of actively
exploring entry to the South-Asian markets. [citation needed]

In March 2001, a methane explosion killed four miners and injured six. The mine was
shut down for two weeks in 2008 due to safety violations and a worker was killed
after part of the mine collapsed in January 2010. [4] On 8 May 2010,
an explosion occurred killing 66 workers.[5]

10. Cerrejon Colombia

Located between the municipalities of Albania, Barrancas, and Hatonuevo in

La Guajira, it has estimated resources of 1.961 million tonnes of coal.

The Mine is the site of the daily activities involving coal production,
maintenance of mining equipment, and support services for the operation.

It has several active pits: Patilla, Tabaco, La Puente, Oreganal, Tajo 100, and
Comuneros.

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 The equipment and machinery used at the Mine are amongst the largest of
their type in size and capacity: more than 240 trucks of 320, 240, and 190 tonnes
in capacity.

Cerrejn uses state-of-the-art technology in the operation and maintenance of

its mining equipment, receiving hoppers, crushing plants, conveyor belts, and two
silos.

The Cerrejn is a thermal coal mine, currently operated by the company Carbones
del Cerrejn Limited, Cerrejn, currently extracting and exploiting coal in the coal
mine Cerrejn. "Carbones del Cerrejn Limited, Cerrejn", producer and exporter
operating in La Guajira department, Colombia. Its operations include an open-pit
mine producing over 32 million tonnes of coal a year, a 150-km railway line, and
Puerto Bolvar, a maritime shipping terminal servicing vessels of up to 180,000
tonnes. The added value of this mining operation lies in its integrated operation
(mine-railway-port), which is unique in Colombia. The integration guarantees greater
production efficiency and less environmental impact.

The mine is located between the municipalities of Albania, Barrancas, and

Hatonuevo in La Guajira, and has estimated resources of 5,244.20 million tonnes
of coal.

It has maintenance workshops covering over 26,000 m2, where the mining
equipment is checked and repaired (preventive, scheduled, and reactive
maintenance).

Each train can haul 109 freight wagons, each of which has a nominal carrying
capacity of 96 to 110 tonnes of coal.

Puerto Bolivar is the port of coal mine of the Cerrejn. It has had a direct-
loading system since 1985. The navigable channel is 19 metres deep, 225
metres wide, and four kilometres long. It is one of the largest coal maritime ports
in South America with clean technology.

The port also has a supply dock for ships of up to 70,000 tonnes carrying
machinery, spare parts, fuel, and other supply goods for the mining operation.

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Integrated Operation
Figures

From 1985 to 2011, the coal mine of the Cerrejn, produced 508.8 million
tonnes of coal and generated US$ 2,006 million in royalties. In 2011 alone, sales
generated US$ 336.60 million for the country as a whole and the region of La
Guajira.

By the end of 2011, the mine of the Cerrejn, had reached an historical
production figure of 32.03 million tonnes to the following markets: Europe (58%),
the Mediterranean and Asia (21%), Central and South America (12%), and North
America (9%).

These external sales represent 40% of Colombia's coal sales and 4.6% of
global coal sales.

Carbones del Cerrejn's directly employed workforce numbers 5,373 workers

(62% from La Guajira, 28% from other parts of the Caribbean coast, and 10%
from the rest of the country).

In addition, a further 4,497 workers are employed indirectly through contractor

firms for the operation.

Mining Fleet

Carbones del Cerrejn has a mining fleet comprising 493 pieces of equipment: 258
trucks with a load capacity of 190, 240, and 320 tonnes, 50 hydraulic shovels, and
185 pieces of auxiliary equipment.

A 320-tonne truck can haul a load equivalent to approximately 10 tractor

trailers. In Colombia, a tractor trailer hauls 30 to 35 tonnes.

A P&H 2800XPC shovel has a load capacity equivalent to the weight of 40

automobiles, that is, approximately 63.5 tonnes.

A PC8000 shovel can manage a load equivalent to 50 automobiles

(approximately 75.3 tonnes).

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Wrolds Ten Highest Producing Surface Iron Ore
Mines
1. Carajs Mine

The Carajs Mine is the largest iron ore mine in the world. It is located in the
municipality of Parauapebas, state of Par in theCarajs Mountains of
Northern Brazil. The mine is operated as an open-pit mine, and is estimated to
contain roughly 7.2 billion tons of iron ore, plus gold, manganese, copper,
and nickel. [1] The mine is run by Vale (formerly the Companhia Vale do Rio Doce)
and was previously part-owned with US Steel until 1977. [1]

The mine is part of the larger Carajs mining district, which "contains known
reserves of the order of 18 billion tons with an average grade of 65.4% Fe." [1]

The mine is largely powered by hydroelectric power from the Tucuru Dam.

The Vale-owned Carajas mine in the state of Para in Northern Brazil is the world's
biggest iron ore mine holding 7.27 billion tonnes of proven and probable reserves as
of December 2012.

Carajas is an open pit mining operation targeting the Serra Norte, Serra Sul, and the
Serra Leste iron ore deposits in the Carajs District. The mine contained an
estimated 4.84 billion tonnes of iron ore (grading 66.7% Fe) in proven reserves and
2.43 billion tonnes of iron ore (66.6% Fe) in probable reserves as of 2012. It
produced 106.7 million tonnes iron ore in 2012.

Vale is implementing a $19.6bn expansion project known as Carajs Serra Sul S11D
Iron project, which involves the development of a new mine called Serra Sul in the
Carajas mining complex. The new mine is expected to commence production in
2016 and reach its peak production capacity of 90 million tonnes of iron ore per year
in 2018.

The mining life of Carajas is believed to be extendible up to 2065.

2. Samarco Alegria, Brazil

"The mine contained 2.97 billion tonnes of iron ore in proven and probable reserves
as of December 2012."

The world's second biggest iron ore mine, Samarco Alegria is located in the state of
Minas Gerais in south-east Brazil. The mine contained 2.97 billion tonnes of iron ore
in proven and probable reserves as of December 2012.

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Samarco Alegria is an open pit mining operation consisting of two active pits, Alegria
South and Alegria North, which have been operational since 2000. Samarco, a 50-50
joint venture between BHP Billiton and Vale, owns and operates the mine.

The mine was estimated to hold 1.89 billion tonnes of proven iron ore reserve
(grading 40.2% Fe) and 1.08 billion tonnes of probable iron ore reserve (grading
38.9% Fe) by the end of 2012. Production in 2012 was 21.8 million tonnes and the
life of the mine is projected to continue up to 2053.

3. Minas Itabiritos, Brazil

Vale's Minas Itabiritos mining site in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, hosts the
world's third biggest iron ore mining operation. The proven and probable ore
reserves of Minas Itabirito, which comprises four mines, Segredo, Joao Pereira,
Sapecado, and Galinheiro, were 2.78 billion tonnes at the end of 2012.

Joao Pereira, containing 670.9 million tonnes (41.2% Fe) of proven and 340 million
tonnes (40.9% Fe) of probable reserves, is the biggest among the Minas Itabiritos
mines. Galinheiro is the second biggest holding 563.1 million tonnes (45.4%Fe) of
iron ore in proven and 410.5 million tonnes (43.8% Fe) of probable reserves.

Sapecado and Galinheiro open pits have been in operation since 1948, whereas the
Segredo and Joao Pereira open pits have been operational since 2003. Iron ore
production from Minas Itabiritos during 2012 totalled 31.8 million tonnes. The
estimated mine life of Minas Itabiritos is up to 2047.

4. Vargem Grande, Brazil

Vale-operated Vargem Grande mine site also located in the state of Minas Gerais,
Brazil, contained 2.53 billion tonnes of proven and probable iron ore reserves as of
2012-end making it the world's fourth biggest iron ore mining operation. The Vargem
Grande site comprises three open-pits namely Tamandua, Capitao do Mato, and
Aboboras.

The Capitao do Mato pit holds 238.1 million tonnes (52%Fe) of proven and 960
million tonnes (45.4% Fe) of probable iron ore reserve, is the biggest among the four
Vargem Grande pits. Aboboras, containing 924.6 million tonnes of iron ore (40.8%
Fe) in proven and probable reserves and is the most recent pit after starting
operations in 2003.

The total iron ore production from Vargem Grande in 2012 was 22.6 million tonnes.
Tamandua, with an output of iron ore 9.7 million tonnes, was the biggest producing
mine during the year. The mine life of Vargem Grande is extendible up to 2058.

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5. Zanaga, Republic of Congo
"Production in stage-1 is expected to be 14 million tonnes of iron ore per year."

Zanaga is an open pit iron ore mine under development in the Lekoumou region of
Southern Congo. It is estimated to contain 2.5 billion tonnes of iron ore (34% Fe) in
probable reserves making it the world's fifth biggest iron ore mine.

The Zanaga project is being developed in two phases by a joint venture of Glencore
Xstrata (51%) and the Zanaga Iron Ore Company (49%). The feasibility study for the
project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2014.

Production in stage-1 is expected to be 14 million tonnes of iron ore per year,

including up to two million tonnes direct shipping ore (DSO). Stage-2 will expand the
annual production capacity to 30 million tonnes per annum. The estimated mine life
of Zanaga is 30 years.

6. Simandou, Guinea
The world's sixth biggest iron ore mine, Simandou is currently under construction in
southeast Guinea, Africa. The Simandou mine contains 1.84 billion tonnes of iron ore
(65.5% Fe) as of 2012 estimates. First production from the mine is expected in 2015.

Rio Tinto, with 50.4% stake in the Simandou integrated iron ore project, is
developing the mine in partnership with Aluminium Corporation of China (CHALCO)
and the International Finance Corporation, which respectively hold a 44.6% and a
5% interest in the project.

The Simandou iron ore operation will consist of open pit mines located at Pic de Fon
and Oueleba, a railway, and a port. The project received more than $3bn investment
by the end of 2013 and is expected to produce up to 95 million tonnes per annum of
iron ore per annum over the mine's projected life of at least 30 years.

7. Hamersley, Australia
"The mine site, comprising Rio Tinto's ten fully owned open pit mines, was estimated
to contain 1.72 billion tonnes of proven and probable iron ore reserves at the end of
2012."

The Hamersley Basin, located about 1,100km north of Perth in the Pilbara region of
Western Australia, hosts the world's seventh biggest iron ore mining operation. The
mine site, comprising Rio Tinto's ten fully owned open pit mines, was estimated to
contain 1.72 billion tonnes of proven and probable iron ore reserves at the end of
2012.

The Hamersley mines cover the Brockman, Marra Mamba and Pisoliten iron ore
deposits in the region. The Brockman 4 mine holding 561 million tonnes of iron ore

14
reserves (62% Fe) is the biggest Hamersley Basin mine followed by Western Turner
Syncline, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, and Nammuldi.

Rio Tinto also operates four other mines namely Channar, Eastern Range, Hope
Downs-1 and Hope Downs-4 in the Pilbara region in joint venture partnership with
other companies. The company's wholly owned mines in the Hamersley Basin
produced 133.29 million tonnes of iron ore in 2013, compared with 126.63 million
tonnes in 2012.

8. Chichester Hub, Australia

The Chichester Hub, also located in Western Australia's Pilbara region,
approximately 263km south of Port Hedland, is the world's eighth biggest iron ore
mine containing 1.51 billion tonnes of proven and probable iron ore reserves (57.6%
Fe) as of June 2013. The mine is operated by the world's fourth biggest iron ore
producer Fortescue Metals Group (FMG).

The Chichester Hub comprises two open-pit iron ore mines in the Chichester
Ranges, called Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek. Mining activities at Cloudbreak
started in mid 2008, while Christmas Creek, located 50km east of Cloudbreak,
became operational one year later.

The Christmas Creek mine has higher reserves than Cloudbreak mine and is
producing 50 million tonnes per annum of iron ore following two expansions in 2011
and 2012. The total production of the Chichester Hub is approximately 90 million
tonnes per annum.

9. Minas-Rio, Brazil
"The project is being developed in phases with an estimated investment of $8.8bn."

With 1.45bt of probable iron ore reserves (38.76% Fe) estimated as of 31 December
2012, Anglo American's wholly-owned Minas-Rio iron ore mine, under construction in
the state of Minas Gerais in south-eastern Brazil, is the ninth biggest iron ore mine in
the world.

Minas-Rio will be an open-pit mine exploiting iron ore deposits located in the
mountain ranges of Serra do Sapo and Itapanhoacanga. The project is being
developed in phases with an estimated investment of $8.8bn.

The mine was originally scheduled to commence production the end of 2013, but
construction delays and cost overruns have pushed its start-up to the end of 2014.
Minas-Rio is expected to produce up to 29.8 million tonnes per annum of iron ore in
its first phase of operation.

15
10. Karara, Australia
The Karara mine located about 220km east of Geraldton in Western Australia holds
955 million tonnes of iron ore (36.4% Fe) and is the tenth biggest iron ore mine in the
world. The mine was officially opened in April 2013 and is expected to produce more
than 30 million tonnes per annum of magnetite concentrate for in excess of 30 years.

The mine was developed by Karara Mining Limited (KML), a joint venture between
the Western Australia-based iron ore producer Gindalbie Metals, Chinese steel
producer Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (Ansteel), which is the life of
mine off-taker for all Karara production.

Construction of the Karara mine began towards the end of 2009 and the first direct
shipping of iron ore from the mine began in March 2011. The shipping of haematite
and magnetite concentrate from Karara began in March 2011 and January 2013
respectively.

11. Sishen, South Africa

"The Sishen mine holds 918.9 million tonnes of proven and probable iron ore
reserves (59.2% Fe), making it the world's 11th biggest iron ore mine."

The Sishen mine, located near the mining town Kathu in South Africa's Northern
Cape Province, holds 918.9 million tonnes of proven and probable iron ore reserves
(59.2% Fe), making it the world's 11th biggest iron ore mine.

Sishen is the biggest among the three mines owned and operated in South Africa by
Kumba Iron Ore Limited (Kumba) in which Anglo American holds 69.7% interest.
Operational since 1947, it is also one of the world's biggest open pit mines. The
proven ore reserves of the mine as of December 2012 stood at 642.9 million
tonnes(59.4% Fe).

The mine produced 30.9 million tonnes of iron ore in 2013, compared to 33.7 million
tonnes in the previous year. Several expansion projects including Sishen Lower
Grade projects, SEP1B and the Sishen DMS concentrate project are in pipeline to
extend the mine's life further from the currently estimated 18 years.

16
Indias Ten Highest Producing Surface Iron Ore
Mines

India is the third largest coal-producing country in the world. Its production is 7.2 per

cent of the total world production of coal.

Mine State Coordinat Associate Owner Period of Notes

es d town Operation

Barbil Odisha 22.12N

85.40E

22.19
Mayurbha
Odisha N
nj
86.16E

22.01N
Joda Odisha
85.43E

21.32N
Kendujhar Odisha
85.41E

20.85N
Jajpur Odisha
86.33E

22.02N
Sundergarh Odisha
84.50E

Gandhamar 20.52N
Odisha
dhan 82.50E

17
Mine State Coordinat Associate Owner Period of Notes
es d town Operation

21.19N
81.28E

Jharkhan
Singhbhum SAIL
d

National
Mineral
Developm
Chhattisg
Bailadilla ent
arh
Corporati
on, Ltd.
(NMDC)

Bhilai
Dalli- Chhattisg Steel
Rajhara arh Plant
(BSP)

Maharas 16.98N
Ratnagiri
htra 73.3E

Karnatak
Bellary
a

Jharkhan
Barajamda
d

18
19
The Indian coalfields can be broadly grouped as follows:

Gondwana Coalfields:

1. The Damodar Valley Coalfields:

(i) Jharia,

(ii) Ranigang,

(iii) Bokaro,

(iv) Giridih and

(v) Karanpura

2. The Mahanadi Valley Fields

3. The Godawari Valley Fields (Singareni)

Tertiary Coalfields in Assam and Rajasthan:

Practically 97 per cent of the coal supplies of India are derived from the Gondwana

rocks. Among the states, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha,

Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal are the main producers of coal.

Coal mining in India has a long history of commercial exploitation covering nearly
220 years starting in 1774 with John Sumner and Suetonius Grant Heatly of the East
India Company in the Raniganj Coalfield along the Western bank of Damodar river.
However, for about a century the growth of Indian coal mining remained sluggish for
want of demand but the introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 gave a fillip to it.
Within a short span, production rose to an annual average of 1 million metric tons
(1.1 million short tons). India could produce 6.12 million metric tons (6.75 million
short tons) per year by 1900 and 18 million metric tons (20 million short tons) per

20
year by 1920. The production got a sudden boost from the First World War but went
through a slump in the early thirties. The production reached a level of 29 million
metric tons (32 million short tons) by 1942 and 30 million metric tons (33 million short
tons) by 1946.[1]

With the advent of independence, the country embarked upon the 5-year
development plans. At the beginning of the 1st Plan, annual production went up to
33 million metric tons (36 million short tons). During the 1st Plan period itself, the
need for increasing coal production efficiently by systematic and scientific
development of the coal industry was being felt. Setting up of the National Coal
Development Corporation (NCDC), a Government of India Undertaking in 1956 with
the collieries owned by the railways as its nucleus was the first major step towards
planned development of Indian Coal Industry. Along with the Singareni Collieries
Company Ltd. (SCCL) which was already in operation since 1945 and which became
a Government company under the control of Government of Andhra Pradesh in
1956, India thus had two Government coal companies in the fifties. SCCL is now a
joint undertaking of Government of Telangana and Government of India sharing its
equity in 51:49 ratio.

Perio
Associated Owne d of Not
Mine State Coordinates
town r Opera es
tion

Jharkha 234506N 8
Jharia
nd 62513E

Jharkha 2348N 854

Bokaro
nd 5E

Jharkha
Godda
nd

Raniga West
nj Bengal

21
 Perio
Associated Owne d of Not
Mine State Coordinates
town r Opera es
tion

Chhattis 2221N 824

Korba
garh 1E

Jharsug 2203N 834 Belpahar, Brajr

Odisha
uda 3E ajnagar

2057N 851
Talcher Odisha
3E

Singare Telanga
Khammam
ni na

Neyveli
Tamil Lignite
Neyveli Neyveli
Nadu Corpora
tion

Western
Coalfiel
Maharas
Nagpur ds
htra
Limited

Jharia Coal Field

Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks[2] in Dhanbad

district in Jharkhand state, India. Jharia is the fifteenth-largest town in the state of
Jharkhand.[3] (More than one town in India shares this name.) Jharia is famous for its
rich coalresources, used to make coke. Jharia plays a very important role in the
economy and development of Dhanbad City, and can be considered as a part of
Dhanbad City.

22
Coal field[edit]

Jharia Coal mine

The coal field lies in the Damodar River Valley, and covers about 110 square miles
(280 square km), and produces bituminous coal suitable for coke. Most of India's
coal comes from Jharia. Jharia coal mines are India's most important storehouse [6] of
prime cokecoal used in blast furnaces, it consists of 23 large underground and nine
large open cast mines.[5]

The mining activities in these coalfields started in 1894 and had really intensified in
1925. The first Indians to arrive and break monopoly of British in Coal mining
wereGujarati railway contractors from Kutch[7] some of whom decided to plunge into
the coal mining business and were thus the pioneers in starting coal mining in Jharia
coalfields belt around 1890-95. [8] In Jharia-Dhanbad belt Seth Khora Ramji
Chawda was the first Indian to break monopoly of Europeans and founded Khas
Jharia, Golden Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari, Khas Jeenagora, East Bagatdih Collieries
with their brothers Teja Ramji Chawda, Jetha Lira Jethwa, Akhoy Ramji Chawda,
Pachan Ramji Chowra between 1894 and 1910. In Pure Jharia Colliery Khora Ramji
and brothers were partners with Diwan Bahadur D.D. Thacker.[9] [10] [11] [12][13] The
Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa (1920) by British Gazetteer mentions about
Seth Khora Ramji as under :-

..at that time (in 1890s) the Jharia coal fields were being exploited by Europeans and
Seth Khora Ramji was first Indian to seize the opportunity. He purchased two
collieries to begin with. Gradually others from Kutch and Gujarat followed suit and
now Jharia has been changed into a Gujarati settlement with about 50 Kutchi out of
92 Gujarati collieries proprietors with Seth Khora Ramji as head of them all. He is
now sole proprietor of two collieries and a financing member of about eight collieries.
Several district officials have remarked him as multi-millionaire, one of the first class
parties in Jharia.

The life sketch of Govamal Jivan Chauhan is also another miner mentioned by the
British in gazetter[14] who founded collieries at Teesra, Budroochuck and Pandeberra
around 1908-10, Jagmal Raja Chauhan owned Rajapore colliery with Manji Jeram

23
of Madhapar,[9] whileKhimji Walji owned Tisra mines[9] and Khimjee & Gangjee
Dossa owned mines at Kujama, Fettehpur, North Kujama, North Akashkinari,
Katrasgaarh, Central Jharia, Indian Jharia and Lower Upper Jharia, Khengar Trikoo
of Anjar at Khas Joyrampur[9] There were more than 50 mines owner from Mistri
community of Kutch, who took on lease the coal mining fields from Raja of Jharia at
various locations to start collieries at Khas
Jharia, Jamadoba,Balihari, Tisra, Katrasgarh, Kailudih,
Kusunda, Govindpur, Sijua, Sijhua, Loyabad, Joyrampur, Bhaga, Matadih, Mohuda,
Dhansar, Bhuli, Bermo, Mugma, Chasnala-Bokaro,Bugatdih, Putki, Pandibri,
Rajapur, Jeenagora, Gareria, Chirkunda, Bhowrah, Sinidih, Kendwadih, Dumka, etc.
[9]
The others of pre - first world war years were Khannas, Agarwallas, Kesabji
Pitamber, Haithibhai Patel, Chaturbhai Sangjibhai, Kalyanji Mavji, Roys, Banerjees
and Singhs.[9][15] [16][17]

After first world war was over other communities from Kutch, Gujarat, Marwar and
Bengal followed notable among them were Amritlal Morarjee, Kriparshankar Worah,
Jatashankar Dossa Chanchani, Amritalal Ojha, Lala Karamchand Thapar, Kalyanji
Mavji, T.K. Khanna, Ramjush Agarwalla, J.K. Agarwalla, Kesabji Pitamber, Haithibhai
Patel, Chaturbhai Sangjibhai who made their name in Jharia coalfield post World-
War-I.[9] Amritlal Ojha & Karamchand Thapar later went on to become President of
International Chamber of Commerce. [9] After second world war and independence of
India, Jharia coal mines owner prospered beyond imagination but in 1971 the coal
mines were nationalized by Indira Gandhi by an act of parliament. A major chunk of
these coal bearing region including Raniganj and Paraskole was with the Jharia
miners like Chanchani & Worah, Poddars, Agarwallas, Mistris of Kutch, etc. [9]

Rai Bahadur D D Thacker started a Labour's School in Jharia to train labors for
coalmines. While the Gujrati Primary School at Jharia for children was started
by Mestri Colliery owners, who felt the need of a Primary School at Jharia.
[18]
Although, after nationalization of the coal mines in 1971-73 all of them lost their
mines and assets and a downturn in fortune of coal mining community came. [9]

After the mines were nationalized in 1971, due to easy availability of coal,
many steel plants are set up in close proximity to Jharia. Many steel companies such
as Tata Steel,IISCO, SAIL have taken coal field on lease in Jharia.

Coal field fire[edit]

Jharia is famous for a coal field fire that has burned underground for nearly a
century. The first fire was detected in 1916. [5] According to records, it was the Khas
Jharia mines ofSeth Khora Ramji Chawda (18601923), who was a pioneer of Indian
coalmines, whose mines were one of the firsts to collapse in underground fire in

24
1930. Two of his collieries, Khas Jharia & Golden Jharia, which worked on maximum
260-foot-deep shafts,[19] collapsed due to now infamous underground fires, in which
their house & bungalow also collapsed on 8 November 1930, causing 18 feet
subsidence and widespread destruction.[10][12][19][20][21][22] The fire never stopped despite
sincere efforts by mines department and railway authorities and in 1933 flaming
crevasses lead to exodus of many residents. [19] The Bihar 1934 earthquake led to
further spread of fire and by 1938 the authorities had declared that there is raging
fire beneath the town with 42 collieries out of 133 on fire. [23]

In 1972, more than 70 mine fires were reported in this region. As of 2007, more than
400,000 people who reside in Jharia are living on land in danger of subsidence due
to the fires, and according to Satya Pratap Singh, "Jharia township is on the brink of
an ecological and human disaster".[24] The government has been criticized for a
perceived lackadaisical attitude [25] towards the safety of the people of Jharia.
[26]
Heavy fumes emitted by the fires [27] lead to severe health problems such as
breathing disorders and skin diseases among the local population. [28]

West Bokaro Coalfield

West Bokaro Coalfield is located in Hazaribagh and Ramgarh district in

the Indian state of Jharkhand.

The Coalfield[edit]

The Bokaro coalfield lies between 23 45 and 23 50 North latitude and 85 30 and
86 03 East longitude. It spreads 65 km from east to west and 10 to 16 km from
north to south. Bokaro West and Bokaro East are two subdivisions of the field
separated almost in the middle by Lugu Hill (height 960.9 m). [2]

Bokaro River passes through the West Bokaro and East Bokaro coalfields. [3][4]

West Bokaro Coalfield covers an area of 259 square kilometres (100 sq mi) and has
total coal reserves of 4,246.30 million tonnes. [5]

Tata Steel owns and operates the open-cast West Bokaro collieries. It has the
distinction of commissioning the country's first coal washery in 1951.[6]

Transport[edit]

In 1927, the Central India Coalfields Railway opened the Gomoh-Barkakana line. It
was extended to Daltonganj in 1929. Later these lines were amalgamated with East
Indian Railway.[7]

25
Raniganj Coal field

Raniganj Coalfield is primarily located in the Asansol and Durgapur subdivisions

of Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It spreads over to the
neighbouring districts of Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia and to Dhanbad district
of Jharkhand.

History[edit]

Coalmining in India first started in the Raniganj Coalfield. In 1774, John Sumner
andSuetonius Grant Heatly of the British East India Company found coal
near Ethora, presently in Salanpur community development block. The early
exploration and mining operations were carried out in a haphazard manner.[1]

Regular mining started in 1820, led by an agency house, Alexander & Co. In
1835, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore bought over the collieries and Carr and Tagore Co.
led the field. For the entire 19th century and a major part of the 20th century,
Ranigunj coalfields was the major producer of coal in the country.[1]

At the behest of William Princep, Carr and Tagore Co. joined hands with Gilmore
Hombray and Co. in 1843 to form Bengal Coal Co., which opened up coal mining
activities. Their headquarters was at Sanctoria. Other mining companies included
Birbhum Coal Co., Equitable Coal Co., Madhu Roy and Prasanna Dutta Co., Bird
and Co., South Barakar Coal Co., Andrew Yule and Company Ltd. andBalmer
Lawrie.[1][2]

In 1886, W.W.Hunter wrote, Raniganj Coalfield has been estimated at an area of

500 square miles. In this black country of India, which is dotted with tall chimney
stalks, many European companies are at work, besides many native firms. At first
coal was raised from open workings; but regular mining is now carried on, according
to the system known as pillar and stall The miners are all drawn from the
aboriginal races, chiefly Santals and Bauris, who are noted for their endurance and
docility.[3]

The collieries in Raniganj Coalfield were owned by several companies and owners
such as Amalgamated Jambad Syndicate (Private) Limited, Associated Nandi
Collieries Limited, Bengal Coal Company, Bimal Kanti Roy, BurrakarCoal Company

26
Limited, Central Poniati Coal Company, Coal & Mineral Syndicate, Dhadka Colliery
Company Limited, Dhemomain Collieries and Industries Ltd., Dishergarh Coal
Company Limited, East Baraboni Coal Company (Private) Limited, East Barrakar
Coal Company (Private) Limited,East Jamuria Coal Company, East Laikdih Colliery
Company (Private) Ltd., East Satgram Coal Company Limited, Equitable Coal
Company, Ghanshyam Coal Industries (Private) Limited, Ghusick and Muslia Colliery
Limited, Gourangdih Colliery Company (Private) Limited, K.C. Pal Choudhury, Khas
Kajora Coal Company Limited,Krishna Valley Selected Coal Company, Kuaridh Coal
Company (Private) Limited, Kumardih Coal Company, Lodna Colliery Company
(1920) Limited, Madhujore Coal Company (Private) Limited, Mondal and Company,
Neturia Coal Company Limited, New Beerbhum Coal Company Limited, N.H. Ojha
and Company, New Jamehari Khas Colliery (Private) Limited, Nimcha Coal
Company (Private) Limited, Oriental Mining & Trading Syndicate, Pure Kustore
Colliery Company Limited, Ramjibanpur Coal Company Limited, Samla Dalurband
Coal Company (Private) Limited, Shetia Mining and Manufacturing Company
Limited, Searsole Coal Company Limited, Selected Dalurband Coal Company
(Private) Limited, Sitalpur Coal Company (Private) Limited, Sriniwas and Sons, West
Ghusick Coal Company Limited, West Bengal Mining Company and Western Bengal
Coalfields Limited. These were nationalized in 1973. [4]

Present status[edit]

All non-coking coal mines were nationalized in 1973 and placed under Coal Mines
Authority of India. In 1975, Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India
Limited, was formed. It took over all the earlier private collieries in Raniganj
Coalfield.[2]

Raniganj Coalfield covers an area of 443.50 square kilometres (171.24 sq mi) and
has total coal reserves of 49.17 billion tonnes, spread across Indian states of West
Bengal and Jharkhand.[2] That makes it the second largest coalfield in the country (in
terms of reserves).[5] Out of the total reserve, 30.61 billion tonnes is in the West
Bengal and 18.56 billion tonnes is in Jharkhand.

Coal seams[edit]

In the Raniganj Coalfield the coal seams can be divided into two blocks Raniganj
measures and Barakar measures. The following areas of ECL are covered by the
Raniganj measures: Raniganj-Pandaveswar, Kajora, Jhanjra, Bankola, Kenda,
Sonepur, Kunustoria, Satgram, Sripur, Sodepur and Salanpur (partly). Barakar
measures cover two areas of ECL: Salanpur and Mugma. [2]

27
ONGCs preliminary assessment of coal-bed methane indicates that four Damodar
Valley coalfields Jharia, Bokaro, North Karanpura and Raniganj to be the most
prospective.[6]

Performance Highlights[edit]

Raniganj Coalfield produces the best quality of non-coking coal in India, with
average ash percentage of less than 20%. The main features of this coal are high
volatile content, long flame, quick ignition and high heat value. The following are the
highlights for fiscal year 2012-13:[2]

Coal Production = 33.90 million tonnes

Annual Turnover = 12076.17 crore (US$1.8 billion)

Profit Before Tax = 1897.18 crore (US$290 million)

Manpower = 72,973

Number of operating mines = 98

Number of underground mines = 77

Number of opencast mines = 21

Korba Coal field

Korba Coalfield is located in Korba district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh in the
basin of the Hasdeo River, a tributary of theMahanadi.

The coalfield[edit]

Korba Coalfield is located between latitudes 22 0 15 N and 220 30 N and longitudes

820 15 E and 82055 E.[1] Korba Coalfield covers an area of about 530 square
kilometres (200 sq mi).[2][3] According to Geological Survey of India, total reserves
(including proved, indicated and inferred reserves) of non-coking coal (as on
1.1.2004) in Korba Coalfield was 10,074.77 million tonnes, out of which 7,732.87
was up to a depth of 300 m and 2,341.90 million tonnes was at a depth of 300600
m.[4]

Coal mined at Korba coalfield generally has the following characteristics moisture:
4.57.4 per cent, volatile matter: 27.939.2 per cent, fixed carbon: 34.147.7 per
cent, ash content: 11.231.6 per cent.[5]

28
Operations[edit]

Though coal has been mined in Korba coalfields since 1941, large scale production
could be initiated only on completion of the Champa-Korba rail link in 1955. [6] Open
cast mining activities in the Korba Coalfield are now being carried out. Korba
Coalfield accounts for a major portion of coal mined by South Eastern Coalfields
Limited. The 2010 production of SECL was 101.15 tonnes, out of which 73.35 tonnes
came from Korba Coalfield.[7]

Sub-areas of Korba Coalfield are: Korba, Surakachhar, Rajgamar, Manikpur,

Dhelwadih, Kushumunda and Gevra. The major working coalmines are:
Surakachhar, Banki, Balgi, Rajgamar, Pavan, Manikpur, Dhewadih, Singhali,
Bagdeva, Kusumunda, Laxman, Gevra and Dipka. [5]

Gevra Open Cast Mine[edit]

Gevra open cast mine

Dumpers in Gevra mine

Gevra mine is an open cast mine complex at the town of Gevra that has been
described as the open cast mine in India, as well as the . [5][8][9][10] As of 2011 it has a
capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.[11] It was opened in 1981. During 1999
2000, it produced over 18 million tonnes of coal and removed 12 million m 3of
overburden. In 2000, Gevra mine had a plan to expand from 12 million tonnes per
annum to 25 million tonnes per annum. [12] Actual production was raised from 18
million tonnes to 26 million tonnes annually in 3 years. [13] SECL reported that on 18
March 2007, Gevra Open Cast Mine produced 100,000 tonnes of coal, [14] the highest
quantity of coal ever produced by any mine or coalfield in India on a single day. [14]

29
[15]
Expansion of capacity of Gevra mine from 35 million tonnes annually to 43.75
million tonnes annually has been awaiting environmental clearance since 2009. [16]

Dipka Open Cast Mine[edit]

Dipka Open Cast Mine has an annual capacity of 25 million tonnes. [11]

Kusmunda Open Cast Mine[edit]

Kusmunda Open Cast Mine has an annual capacity of 18.75 million tonnes out of
which 96.75% is given to nationalized companies.[11]

Pollution[edit]

In a paper on Assessment of impact of Coal and Minerals Related Industrial

Activities in Korba Industrial Belt Through Spectroscopic Technique by Rajesh
Kumar, Gurdeep Singh and Asim Kumar Pal, the authors highlighted, Korba
Coalfield has been identified as one of the hot spots and the worst polluted area in
India. There is widespread concern of air pollution due to emission of particulates
from various mining and allied activities. [1]

The main sources of pollution in the Korba area are coal-based power plants,
smelter and open cast mines at Gevra, Dipka and Kusmunda. Large scale
transportation of coal raises a pollution problem. Amongst steps taken or underway
to check pollution in the area are: widening and repairs of roads in Gevra, Dipka and
Kusmunda mines and procurement of Continuous Ambient Air Monitoring Stations at
Gevra and Dipka mines.[11]

Coal washeries[edit]

There is a pronounced degree of contamination in the coal from open cast mines.
Such coal often has ash content averaging 40 per cent. Moreover, with multiple
sources of supply, the quality is inconsistent. Even 68 per cent reduction in ash
improves coal quality significantly. Coal preparation, or washing as it is commonly
referred to, is both economical and environmentally beneficial. [17] Coal washeries are
being established in Korba Coalfields. ACB (India) had set up a washery at Dipka in
1999, gradually upgrading capacity from 1 million tonnes per annum to 12 million
tonnes per annum.[18] The KJSL Coal Washery at Dhatura in Pali tehsil has an annual
capacity of 2 million tonnes.[19]

30
Power plants[edit]

There are several coal-based thermal power stations in the area consuming coal
from Korba Coalfield. Korba Super Thermal Power Plant of NTPC has installed
capacity of 2,600 MW. It gets coal from Gevra and Kusmunda mines. [20] Chhattisgarh
State Power Generation Company Limited has three power stations in the area:
Korba East Thermal Power Station has installed capacity of 440 MW, Dr. Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee Thermal Power Station (Korba East) 500 MW, and Hasdeo
Thermal Power Station (Korba West) 840 MW.[21] The captive power plant
of Balco (BCPP) has an installed capacity of 270 MW.[22] It is coming up with a 1,200
MW power expansion project.[23]

IB Valley Coal Field (Jharsuguda)

Ib Valley Coalfield is located in Jharsuguda district in the Indian state of Odisha, in

the valley of the Ib River, a tributary of theMahanadi.

History[edit]

In 1900, when Bengal Nagpur Railway was building a bridge across the Ib River,
coal was accidentally discovered. The first coalmine in the Ib Valley Coalfield was
established by Himgir Rampur Coal Company in 1909. Other underground collieries
were opened by private operators till nationalization of the coal industry in 1973,
when it was placed under Western Coalfields Limited. In 1986, it came under South
Eastern Coalfields Limited and in 1992 under Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. With
nationalization came the age of open cast mines. Ib Valley Coalfield operates three
major open cast mines - Lajkura Opencast Mine, Samleswari Opencast Mine and
Lilari Opencast Mine. Production of the field has risen sharply from 0.55 million
tonnes in 1972-73 to 15.51 million tonnes in 2002-2003. [1][2][3]

The coalfield[edit]

Ib Valley Coalfield lies between latitudes 21 41N and 22 06N and longitudes 83
30E and 84 08E . It covers an area of 1,375 square kilometres (531 sq mi).[4]

According to Geological Survey of India, the Talcher Coalfield has reserves of 38.65
billion tonnes, the highest in India. Ib Valley Coalfield has reserves of 22.3 billion
tonnes, the third highest in India.[5]

This coalfield forms part of the large Gondwana basin that extends across several
districts in adjoining Chhattisgarh.[2]

31
Transport[edit]

Ib Valley Coalfield is served by South East Central Railway. The main railway station
for passenger traffic is Brajrajnagar on the Tatanagar-Bilaspur section of Howrah-
Nagpur-Mumbai line. The area links to NH 200.[4]

Construction of the 52 km (32 mi) long Jharsuguda-Barpalli rail line is essential for
transportation of coal from the Ib Valley Coalfield with a potential of 90 million tonnes
per annum. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited will fund this project.[6]

Neyveli Lignite Corporation

Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) is a government-owned lignite mining

and power generating company in India. NLC operates the largest open-pit lignite
mines in India, presently mining 24 MT of lignite and has an installed capacity of
2,740 MW of electricity. It also supplies a large quantity of sweet water
to Chennai from the artesian aquifers in the lignite mines. On 11 April 2011, it joined
the elite group of Navratna Companies.[4] In 1956 NLC was formed as a Corporate
body.

NLC is listed on BSE:513683 as well as NSE:NEYVELI LIG. The Union

Government holds 93% shares of NLC and is administered through Ministry of Coal.
[5]

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