Union Minister Satish Chandra targets 100 million tonnes of underground coal production by 2030

mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalRAIPUR: Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, has set an ambitious target of producing 100 million tonnes of coal from underground mines by 2030, leveraging advanced mining technologies like continuous miner. The announcement came during his two-day visit to South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), underlining the govt’s renewed focus on boosting underground coal output and achieving energy self-reliance.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalSpeaking during his visit to SECL’s Baikunthpur area, the Minister emphasized that “coal is a cornerstone of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to modernizing mining operations across the country.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalOn the second day of his tour, the Minister virtually inaugurated a state-of-the-art Continuous Miner at the NCPH Mine in Chirimiri area, which is expected to significantly enhance underground coal production. He also launched the Main Mechanical Ventilator (MMV) at Churcha Mine, designed to improve airflow deep within the mine, thus ensuring safer and more efficient working conditions.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal“Our goal is to scale underground production using modern, mechanized methods. The commissioning of this low-height Continuous Miner is a major step forward,” Dubey stated, highlighting the machine’s capability to work in restricted underground conditions while increasing productivity.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalThe Minister also inaugurated bio-toilets for female employees at the Churcha Mine, a move hailed as a step forward in promoting inclusivity and better hygiene facilities for women in mining.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalOn the first day of his visit, the Union Minister inspected the Dipka mega project, a flagship SECL operation. He reviewed production targets, visited worker camps, and interacted with employees. A detailed presentation showcased the project’s growth trajectory and future expansion plans.mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normalDubey confirmed that Coal India is now venturing into the exploration of critical minerals, aligning with India's broader strategic interests in resource security.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025, messages and quotes!