Singareni Collieries successfully implements fly ash mission

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), a joint undertaking of the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Government of India, is showing the way through safe utilisation of the environmentally-hazardous fly ash residue.

In a remarkable initiative, the company, which has its headquarters at Kothagudem in Andhra Pradesh, is implementing Fly Ash Utilisation Mission jointly with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Launched in Prakasham Khani in Khamman district in 2002, sustained efforts are being made under the mission to use fly ash for stowing purposes in an underground mine. So far, the results of the experiment have been encouraging.

Fly ash is the airborne combustion residue from burning coal or other fuels.

Earlier too, Singareni Collieries has been in the forefront in adopting and assimilating new technologies. The company in collaboration with Central Mining Research Institute (CMRI), Dhanbad commenced a study in one of its underground mines in Ramagundam to study the applicability of fly ash as a minefield in place of sand stowing.

A joint study was taken up by SCCL in collaboration with heavy water plant, Department of Atomic Energy, Fly Ash Mission of CMRI and Director General of Mines Safety for demonstration of stowing of pond in underground mines.

Several studies conducted by SCCL have indicated that fly ash can be safely used as mine field material. SCCL took the lead in the use of fly ash in civil works. Use of traditional clay bricks has been replaced with fly ash bricks in all construction works like drains, sanitation works, compound walls, dwellings, office buildings and public buildings.

Besides, these bricks are being used in place of coarse rubble stones, cement concrete solid/hollow blocks for the construction of underground workings such as isolation and ventilation stoppings.

The company has constructed nearly 56,000 cubic meters of masonry work, utilising fly ash bricks during 2002-04. It continues to work towards a sustainable environment by contributing to re-use of fly ash, a potential danger to the environment if left unused.

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