Odisha’s MCL Crosses Coal Production Target, Sets New Record In 2021-2022 Fiscal

Bhubaneswar: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has set a new record with coal production of more than 168 million tonne in financial year 2021-22.

Addressing the annual press conference here on Friday, OP Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, MCL said the company achieved 103% of target in coal production with a record output of 168.17 million tonne for 2021-22 fiscal. It has registered a growth of about 14% over previous fiscal 2020-21.

“Besides, the company has despatched 176.17 million tonne coal to consumers, with a growth of about 21% over previous year. The MCL has registered a growth of more than 18% in overburden removal at 207 MCuM (million cubic meters) which will help us increase coal production during the current fiscal,” the CMD said.

Singh said MCL had been successful in meeting the rising demand of coal during the third quarter of 2021-22 fiscal  despite challenges posed by COVID pandemic.

Speaking about the future of coal demand, Singh said, “The coal demand is expected to remain high in the coming times. We have made advance preparations, in view of erratic rainy season and other operational challenges, to meet the rising demand by producing more coal.”

Stating that the company had also done capital expenditure (CAPEX) of Rs 3,805 crore for FY-22, which would help MCL meet future goals, he said the MCL would produce 176 million tonne coal in 2022-23 fiscal.

KR Vasudevan, Director (Finance) and Keshav Rao, Director (Personnel) were present at the press meet while SK Pal, Director (Technical/Projects & Planning) joined through video-conferencing.

MCL is the largest coal producing company in the country, having its mining operations in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Angul districts of the state.