Nagpur-based Miniratna, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has achieved various milestones not just through its production but all through its corporate social responsibility. Apart from creating records in growth of production during last three months and especially in March 2017, WCL went all out in setting various milestones in producing employment, skill development,
eco- tourism and other out-of-box initiatives.
WCL has registered record 56 per cent growth in coal production during March, 2017 month-on-month basis and achieved 45.63 million tonnes coal production during FY 2016-17. During last quarter of FY 2016-17, WCL achieved record 30.1 per cent growth in coal production, 20.1 per cent growth in OB removal, 15.2 per cent growth in despatch compared to the corresponding period of FY 2015-16. The increased coal production enabled greater availability of coal to consumers.
Apart from the above mentioned achievement, it added many colorful feathers to the cap. The company has also launched many pioneering and widely appreciated initiatives by the efforts of Team WCL, towards bringing meaningful change in the lives of the populace residing in and around its command area out of which few prestigious initiatives are:-
Introduced mine tourism in India
In a first of its kind initiative in India, Western Coalfields Limited has showcased the minimal environmental impact and the eco-friendlessness of mining operations by introducing mine tourism for the public. Under this project, Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) has created an eco-park in 15 acres of land which is between the Saoner and Gondegaon mines about forty kilometres away from Nagpur in Maharashtra and is offering a conducted tour of coal mines for the public in association with MTDC.
“People normally think and believe things to be polluted, unsafe and ecologically hazardous in coal mining areas and we have changed this perception of the people by developing barren land which lies between two mines into a spot of tourist interest,” chairman and managing director of WCL, Rajiv R Mishra said.
Going underground is a thrilling and memorable experience for every tourist and WCL team members are displaying all the major underground activities to these tourists in the mine. Tourists get to know how a miner goes inside through a man-riding system; what is the internal scene inside an underground mine and machines used for mining. If one wants to go inside after obtaining the necessary clearances, tourists would be provided with the entire dress needed to go inside the mines too.
Showcasing of real mines to the public and such ecological endeavours are common in Australia, USA, Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Japan, Chile, Bolivia and several other countries but new in India.
Diversion of Amb River: A big challenge won by WCL team
Coal mining is known as an activity against nature. While mining coal from mother earth, there is always a possibility of natural disturbances. Before September 2010, Umrer Area of WCL used to produce about 42.67 LTE per annum but due to unfortunate massive land slide (approximately 250 metres length) occurred in Eastern Quarry, which caused breach of Amb River into the mine resulting in extensive damage to 15/90 dragline and leading to one fatality of dragline operator. The landslide occurred due to presence of two unknown faults. Due to this accident, the coal production of Umrer area dipped to 23.19 LTE in 2010-11. The downfall of Umrer area led to the downfall of WCL as a whole.
Present management team of WCL took up a challenge and decided to reverse the path of Amb River. For WCL, it was the need of an hour to regain the lost glory and to overcome this dark phase. This earmarked the beginning of AMB River diversion – Phase IV. The diversion was of 2,750 metres in length with a total capital expenditure of Rs 64.11 crore. This investment gave an extra ten years life to mine and coal reserve of 20.58 MT, which may earn profit of Rs 1,217.56 crore to the company. The challenging task done by team WCL has changed the entire story of WCL, which helped in turning around the company.
