Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), a Coal India Ltd (CIL) subsidiary, is set to inaugurate operations in two new coal mines in the Talcher coalfield region of Angul district, Odisha. These mines, Subhadra and Balabhadra, are estimated to hold coal reserves of 25 million tonnes (MT) and 10 MT, respectively. The Subhadra mine’s operations are anticipated to commence by the end of the financial year 2025-26, and Balabhadra is expected to be operational by the close of the financial year 2029-30. MCL presently operates 18 coal mines spanning the districts of Angul, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda, encompassing three underground and 15 open-cast mines. MCL has prioritized transparency by installing CCTV surveillance across 98% of its operational zones, with the remaining areas soon to be covered. Furthermore, the company uses AI to monitor its GPS-equipped coal transport vehicles in real time. In FY 2024-25, MCL’s coal production reached 225 MT, a 9% increase year-over-year, with a dispatch of 210 MT, which is 6% higher. The company aims to attain net-zero carbon emissions by FY 2029 and has allocated ₹17,900 crore towards renewable energy ventures, including solar, wind, and pumped storage. The company has set a target of 239 MT of coal production for FY 2026, with the aim of achieving 300 MT by FY 2029-30.
Odisha’s MCL Expands Coal Mining Operations with New Mines, Eyes 300 MT Production
