Selection of consultant to modernise Coal Indian mines underway

Consultant will assess the requirements of technology and infrastructure development for mine planning

The Coal Ministry today said it is evaluating bids for selection of a consultant for modernisation of the state-owned Coal India (CIL) mines.

"In order to infuse world class technology & modernise CIL, (it) has been decided to appoint a consultant of International standings for the modernisation of its mines," according to an official statement, adding that process for evaluating the bids are under way.

An expression of interest (EoI) was earlier floated for inviting proposals from international consultancy firms for technology development and modernisation of mines of CIL.

The consultant would assess the requirements of technology and infrastructure development for mine planning and design and construction with regard to projected coal production plans for 12th, 13th and 14th Five Year Plans, the Coal Ministry had earlier said.

The Ministry further said in the statement that Mine- Developer-Operator mode of operation to enhance the production capacities of mines of Coal India has been initiated in seven projects of the PSU firm.

In order to overcome the problem of slow coal evacuation from its three major coalfields -- North Karanpura-Auranga of CCL, Mand Raigarh-Korba of SECL and Ib Valley of MCL, CIL has planned an investment of Rs 7045 crore in three major railway infrastructure facilities namely Tori-Shivpur (Kathotia), Mand-Raigarh- Korba & Gopalpur- Manoharpur in these coalfields, respectively which is under various stages of implementation.

"These rail links together shall stretch to about 435 KMs, are expected to handle 150 million tonnes (MT) by the end of 12th Plan period," it said.

CIL, the ministry said, has identified 126 new projects to take up with an estimated capacity of 438.04 MT during the 12th Plan period. Out of these 60 projects are likely to contribute about 88 MT during the terminal year of 12th Plan ie 2016-17.