Karimnagar, April 16: The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) authorities are a happy lot what with a recent survey revealing that coal deposits spread in Karimnagar, Adilabad, Khammam and Warangal districts would be sufficient for the next 100 years.
The survey was conducted by the SCCL’s research and exploration wing in the Singareni belt in the four districts.
According to the survey report, about 10,000 million tonnes of coal deposits were available in the Singareni belt on the banks of river Godavari. The survey also stated that only 2,000 million tonnes of coal could be excavated using the existing technology.
Presently, excavation works are being executed at 420 metres depth, both in the underground and open cast mines, while coal deposits are available up to 1000 metres depth, according to the survey.
The SCCL is excavating coal using long-wall and high-wall technology employing 65,000 workers in 34 underground and 13 open cast mines.
Just three months ago, the SCCL celebrated its 122 years of existence.
Coal deposits were first found in 1870 at Illandu in Khammam district and the works were executed by the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh government under the aegis of British rulers.
In 1949, the four districts rich in coal deposits fell under the purview of Andhra Pradesh government. Since then, the SCCL produced more than 900 million tonnes of coal which was used in generation of power, for industrial uses and some was even exported to foreign countries.
Using the latest technology, the SCCL is producing about 5 million tonnes of coal every year from underground and open cast mines.
Speaking to this paper, Ramagundam area-I general manager Manohar Rao said about 100 million tonnes of coal deposits were available in Ramagundam area.
—Agencies