Our Bureau

Keen to tap underground mines with more scientific approach

Hyderabad , June 2

, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd has embarked on a process to bring in significant improvements in its mining systems that would help tap into underground mines like its counterparts in the US, China and Australia.

The State-owned Singareni, which has huge coal reserves, is confronted with tough terrain.

Therefore, the company has embarked on a strategy to tap into the mines with a more scientific approach.

"Even if this meant higher production cost initially, we are keen to tap underground mines," the Chairman and Managing Director of Singareni Collieries Company, Mr R.H. Khwaja, said. Speaking at Showcasing Andhra Pradesh at the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry meet, Mr Khwaja said "though this meant that the company could potentially lose about Rs 2 crore a day by tapping into underground mines, we would make this up with mining from open cast mines."

Referring to continued focus on thermal generation, Mr Khwaja said, "it was high time we focussed on other energy sources such as hydel, biomass, and even nuclear energy. Towards this, we need to evolve an Energy Security Policy, that would bring in a holistic approach to energy management."

"As a part of the company's efforts to diversify into new areas, Singareni has recently teamed up with ONGC to explore the potential of coal bed gas methane. If the pilot project succeeds, we would be able to replicate this project, as this has greater potential to extract more from the same resources," he said.

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