SAIL mines output up 5%

The Raw Materials Division of SAIL has recorded its highest ever production of 18 million tons (MT) in 2007-08, registering a growth of 5.7 per cent over the previous year.

Individually its Barsua Iron Mines recorded a whopping rise of 32 per cent followed by 30.7 per cent of Chiria mines over the last fiscal. RMD's other mines at Gua, Bolani, Meghahatuburu, and Kiriburu achieved the best ever production registering a growth of 9.1 per cent, 8.7 per cent, 4.3 per cent, and 4.2 per cent respectively over the previous year.

According to its corporate plan, SAIL targets to produce 42 MT of iron ore by 2010-11. RMD, which operates seven iron ore mines in eastern India. For production augmentation and infrastructure development in the financial year 2007-08, RMD has taken up projects worth Rs 30 crore.

At its Chiria mines, RMD has recently developed the Manoharpur siding for full rake loading with an investment of Rs 2 crore, which will reduce the loading time by up to 40 per cent. For environment protection a dry fogging system for 600 TPH crushing & screening plant has been installed at Bolani mines investing more than Rs 63 lakh.

Other major projects include installation of DG Set at Meghahatuburu and Gua, development of Roxy siding at Kalta, installation of apron feeder at Gua, enhancing the capacity of downhill conveyor at Meghahatuburu, full rake loading at Kiriburu, installation of In-motion Weigh Bridge at Gua, Barsua, and Meghahatuburu.

The company has pumped in another Rs 34 crore on procurement of new HEMM to strengthen the mining fleet and revamping the transport base.

Apart from phase wise development of Chiria and Taldih mines, RMD is moving ahead with expansion plan for the other mines, for which massive de-bottlenecking process has been initiated.

After de-bottlenecking process is over, RMD's Bolani, Meghahatuburu, and Kiriburu will jack up production to 10 MT, 6.3 MT, and 5.5 MT respectively, while Gua will do initially four MTPA and later take it to10 MT.