MECL crosses yearly targets, diversifies activities

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The public sector Mineral Exploration Corporation of India (MECL), under the Ministry of Mines has crossed its yearly performance targets consecutively for the third year.

According to an official release issued here today, it carried out nearly 1,75,000 meters drilling and 7,000 meters of developmental mining during 2005-06 against a target of 1,70,000 meters and 6,200 meters.

During 2004-05, its physical performance of 1,73,144 meters drilling and 7,525 meters of developmental mining was also more than the annual target of 1,65,000 meters and 6,000 meters respectively.

During 2003-04 the company set an annual target of 1,65,000 meters drilling and 5,000 meters of developmental mining, but achieved 1,72,281 meters and 3,357 meters respectively.

MECL has expanded its diversification programmes in the fields of deep drilling for Coal Bed Methane (CBM), coal sampling and analysis and ballast stone supply to SE railways.

To gear up for the challenges in the liberalised scenario, it plans to expand its activities in the specialised area of geo-technical studies, geo-hydrological studies, large diameter boreholes for mine services and drilling for CBM exploration/production wells and production mining of bauxite.

The company has drawn a road map for cost effective exploration and development of state of the art technology for mineral exploration.

UNI/BKS CS VV1456