Coal India (CIL) and its large pithead consumers are planning Rs 10,000 crore investment in conveyor belts to transport coal directly from mines in a cheaper and cleaner way without using trucks.
The customers will make the investment while CIL will provide land and facilities for the belts, which will be installed in mines that produce four million tonnes of ore. Besides reducing accidents and increasing the turnaround time for coal supply, as conveyors can function throughout the day. It will also cut down theft as well as diversion of coal and help maintain quality.
CIL is in talks with Hindalco Industries (HINDALCO), Vedanta, Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and Jindal Group, among others, for setting up such infrastructure at coal mines. The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) is in the process of setting up a conveyor system in Nagpur area.