Date | Dec 08, 2016:
NTPC Ltd, the country's largest thermal power producer, has struck coal from the seams of the Pakri Barwadih mine in Jharkhand after the removal of around 7 lakh cubic metres of rock and soil overlying a mineral deposit.
NTPC officials said the power producer was expected to lift coal from the mine. "Coal transportation tender and construction of way-bridge are in advanced stages to facilitate coal evacuation," a senior official said said.
"Coal production will commence shortly from this mine and can be supplied to any project of the company. This is a major step towards building assured fuel supply for the company," NTPC said in a statement.
The Bandag-Hazaribag railway siding has already become operational to transport coal from Pakri Barwadih.
The Centre has allocated 10 mines to NTPC with total estimated reserves of 7.3 billion tonnes. The company expects to lift around 107 million tonnes (mt) per annum once the blocks become operational.
Besides Pakri-Barwadih, Chatti-Bariatu, Kerandari, Talaipalli, Dulanga, Banai, Bhalumuda and Mandakini - B are among the other blocks that were allocated to the power company to meet its captive requirement.
NTPC said it was in advanced stages of awarding the contract for the appointment of a mining-cum-development operator for two of its mines. Exploration at the other blocks is underway.
In a communication to the shareholders, NTPC chairman and managing director Gurdeep Singh has said different projects with an aggregate capacity if 24,000 mega watt (MW) is under implementation (including renewable energy projects) at 23 locations across the country. This includes 4,050MW being undertaken through joint venture and subsidiary companies. Total capital expenditure across the projects stands at around Rs 160,000 crore.
As of September, NTPC's installed capacity was 47,228MW, including 800MW of hydro-electricity and 360MW of solar power. In 2016-17, NTPC plans to add around 4,500MW to its generation capacity.
(Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/)
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