(a) the total number of coal projects earning profit in the country alongwith the number of those which
are incurring losses during the last three year;
(b) whether the losses incurred on the above projects are increasing continuously;
(c) if so, the reasons therefore; and
(d) the remedial/corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL (Dr. DASARI NARAYANA RAO)
(a): The total number of coal mines earning profits and losses during the last three years are as follows:
2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004
No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of profit loss profit loss profit loss earning earning earning earning earning earning mines mines mines mines mines mines
Coal India Limited (CIL) 141 350 143 338 150 326 Singareni Collieries Company Ltd.(SCCL) 14 53 10 58 9 56
i) Inheritance of old underground mines not amenable for higher production and productivity.
ii) Difficult geo-mining conditions.
iii) Exhaustion of good quality reserves.
iv) Difficulty in land acquisition affecting continuance of existing mining operations and opening of new projects.
v) High manpower
vi) Deep seated deposit
vii) Steeply sloping coal seams, which are not amenable for mechanization etc.
(d): The following steps are taken I proposed to be taken to reduce the losses:
i) Introduction of Intermediate technology to increase production and productivity.
ii) Rationalization of manpower including retraining, redeployment and VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme)
iii) Systematic and proper liaisoning with State Government for expediting land acquisition and forest land clearances.
iv) Improving utilization of equipments.
v) Improving the quality of coal produced
vi) Conversion of underground mine to opencast mine wherever feasible etc.