Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) is set to expand its lignite mining operations with three new mines beginning production in the current financial year. This move ensures a stable supply of lignite for the state's industries as older mines approach closure.

Mining operations will commence at the EFG Valia and Damlai mines in Bharuch, along with the Lakhpat (Punrajpur) mine in Kutch. These sites are part of GMDC’s larger initiative to develop six new lignite mines, which collectively hold reserves of 483 million tonne. EFG Valia will be the largest among the new mines, with a peak production capacity of five MTPA, while Lakhpat and Damlai are expected to yield three MTPA and two MTPA, respectively."

"We are progressing with environmental clearances and land acquisition for these three mines,” GM of GMDC, Swagat Ray said. “Initial production will be modest, but we anticipate a combined output of 10 million tonnes annually from these sites," he further informed.

The company set a target of eight million tonne for the year and had already surpassed 7.5 million tonne by mid-March, exceeding last year’s 6.5 million tonne. The new projects are crucial as existing mines near the end of their operational life.