CCEA approves Kusmunda opencast expansion project of SECL

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved sanctioning of Kusmunda opencast expansion project from six million tonnes per year to 10 million tonnes per year at an additional capital investment of Rs 360.25 crore.

Coal outsourcing and overburden removal will be undertaken departmentally, said Minister for Information and broadcasting P.R.

Dasmunsi.

South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited with its headquarters at Bilaspur in Chattisgarh. The Kusmunda opencast mining block is located 93 km from Bilaspur.

The CCEA gave permission to flat and award tenders for additional five million tonnes per year capacity (expansion from 10 to 15 million tonnes per year) for outsourcing of coal and overburden removal for first five years under emergency coal production plan (ECPP).

It approved reappropriation and rephasing of the capital expenditure proposed for 10 million tonnes per year project between major heads in tune with the requirement for additional five million tonnes per year capacity under ECPP.

The CCEA also approved flexibility in implementation stage within the approved cost estimates to respond to improvements in technology and equipment which will result in improved profitability and productivity parameters.

The project will produce 10 million tonnes of coal of grade-F which will be supplied to linked customers for meeting the demand of Korba coalfield.

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