Strategic Initiative Details
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint development and operation of two coal blocks in West Bengal:
- SAIL's Indikatta Ramnagore Coal Block
- BCCL's East of Damagoria (Kalyaneshwari) Coal Block
Operational Capacity and Reserves
- Combined peak rated capacity (PRC): 4.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)
- Estimated extractable reserves: Approximately 79 million tonnes
Mining Methodology
The joint operation will follow an integrated mining approach with two phases:
Phase 1:
- Mining operations at Kalyaneshwari Block
- Dumping operations at Ramnagor Block
Phase 2:
- Reverse approach from Phase 1 (mining and dumping locations swapped)
- The methodology includes combined mining and overburden binding
Strategic Objectives
- Unified utilization of coal resources
- Boost domestic coking coal production
- Enhance availability of key raw materials for Indian steel industry
- Support Indian government's vision of self-reliant India (Aatmanirbhar Bharat)