Trade unions oppose MCL's OB outsourcing

The Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), the second largest subsidiary of Coal India (CIL), is yet to introduce outsourcing of overburden removal work in five targeted open cast mines due to opposition by the workers trade unions mainly in the Ib valley area. This has severely affected the overburden (OB) removal operation in all these mines.

According to sources, only two open cast mines namely Lingaraj and Bharatapur, both in Talcher area, have successfully implemented outsourcing of OB works. The OB outsourcing could not be done in mines such as Balaram, Basundhara and Laxmanpur.

Removal of top soil for coal exposition is called overburden (OB) removal which is very vital for coal extraction.

For desired coal production, the timely removal of overburden is very essential, say the experts.

Since the formation of MCL in 1992, the coal company has fallen behind the target in overburden removal to the tune of 72 million cubic meters till date, a company official said.

The poor performances in OB removal is also evident in the current year’s operation with the company recording negative growth on this front while it posted positive growths in both coal output and dispatch. Against the annual target of 70 million cubic meter of OB, the company so far achieved 49.17 million cubic meters.

The performance is said to be 4.85 per cent less than the achievement in the corresponding period last year.

The daily target of 62000 cubic meter is not possible if the work is done departmentally, the sources adds.