The Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine in Odisha, allocated to NLC India Ltd on 2 May 2016 under Schedule III of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, has demonstrated exceptional operational performance in FY 2025-26. The mine achieved its highest-ever annual coal production of 19.14 million tonnes, representing year-on-year growth of 11.28% over the previous year. It also recorded its highest daily production of 126,138.07 tonnes on 21 March 2026 and highest monthly production of 3.39 million tonnes in March 2026.
Coal dispatch performance was equally strong, with the mine achieving highest-ever annual dispatch of 17.69 million tonnes in FY 2025-26. The dispatch was split between the power sector (10.72 million tonnes) and non-regulated sector (6.97 million tonnes). The coal supplies support power generating facilities across multiple states including NTPC Darlipali, NTPC Gadarwara, NTPC Khargone, NTPC Kudgi, and other plants in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Since commencement of production, cumulative coal production reached 72.23 million tonnes and cumulative dispatch reached 70.89 million tonnes up to 14 August 2026. Technology adoption has been a key enabler, with the Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) implementing RFID-based vehicle verification, AI-enabled cameras, and technology-enabled gates. This reduced average entry-gate processing time from 1.42 minutes to 0.54 minutes per vehicle and tare weighment time from 1.34 minutes to 0.48 minutes. The mine also deploys surface miners with dust-suppression systems, GPS-based fleet management, geo-fencing, 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanning with GNSS receivers, drone-based surveying, mechanised truck loading, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, and CCTV surveillance.
Environmental sustainability measures include plantation over 23.43 hectares within the mine lease (64,288 plants) and 29.48 hectares outside the mine lease (65,202 plants). The mine has installed 11.68 kW of solar power capacity including solar street lighting in nearby villages and within mine infrastructure. Dust control measures include wet drilling, water sprinkling, fog cannons, fixed sprinkling systems, wind barriers, truck-washing systems, and mechanised road sweeping.
The mine maintains an impeccable safety record with nil fatal accidents since inception, supported by a Safety Management Plan, improved haul-road and traffic management, PPE compliance, strengthened blasting procedures, safety training, and near-miss reporting through the ARAN Safety App. It has received multiple recognitions under the Annual Mines Safety Fortnight and secured a Five-Star Rating under the Ministry of Coal's Star Rating Evaluation consecutively from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
Employment generation includes 3,277 opportunities comprising 1,277 direct and approximately 2,000 indirect employment through transportation and allied activities. Skill development training was provided to five Project Affected Persons at the Skill Development Institute, Bhubaneswar, and 101 rural youth and women received training in sustainable livelihood initiatives through RSETI and PMKVY centres.
Community development through CSR expenditure stood at ₹5.32 crore in FY 2025-26, supporting healthcare, drinking water, education, school transportation, rural infrastructure, sports, cultural activities, and solar lighting. Health and blood-donation camps benefited around 1,500 people, while drinking-water supply through tankers benefited approximately 10,000 people. During FY 2026-27 up to July 2026, a further ₹4.20 crore was spent on initiatives including drinking-water supply, healthcare support, solar lighting, school and Anganwadi infrastructure, rural roads, community facilities, and water-body rejuvenation.