(a) whether it is possible to improve the quality of domestic coal by using coal washeries
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the coal washeries are operating in the country at present;
(d) if so, the processing capacity of the said coal washeries; and
(e) the percentage capacity of coal washeries against the total average annual coal production in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a)& (b): Yes, it is possible to improve the quality of domestic coal by using coal washeries for reducing ash content and improving calorific value.
Coal India Limited (CIL) has plans to improve the quality of coal produced in its subsidiaries by enhancing its coal washing capacity through setting up of 13 new coking coal, 9 new non-coking coal washeries and renovating of 5 existing coking coal washeries (total 27 nos), in addition to its other existing washeries.
(c)& (d): Yes, a total of 15 washeries, 12 coking and 3 non-coking coal washeries are operating in CIL subsidiaries at present. The total throughput capacity of the 15 washeries is 36.80 Million Tonnes of coal per year (Mty), of which 23.30 Mty is the coking coal throughput capacity and 13.50 Mty is the non-coking coal throughput capacity.
(e): The percentage capacity of coal washeries against the total average annual coal production in CIL , as provided by CIL is given below (based on production of the last 3 financial years):
Avg for last 3 yrs Coking Coal Production
(M T) %-age coking coal washing capacity Non-Coking Coal Production
(M T) %-age Non-Coking coal washing capacity Total coal Production (M T) Overall %-age coal washing capacity
53.016 43.95% 476.028 2.84% 529.044 6.96%
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