In the current financial years, Coal India Limited (CIL) will produce 710 million tons (MT) of coal and the company's carbon offtake target will be at the same level.
CIL's pithead balance as of March 31 was at 75 MT. The company closed fiscal 2019-20 with 602.14 MT of coal production, against the 660 MT goal.
Coal minister Pralhad Joshi set these targets for the state-run company while reviewing its performance through a video conference on Wednesday, an official statement said.
“The demand for coal will pick up again after coronavirus lockdown, so I have directed CIL to keep the production and offtake targets at 710 MT for financial year 2020-21 in line with its goal to achieve one billion tonne coal production by year 2023-24," Joshi said.
The meeting set the company's Over Burden (OB) or top soil removal goal for the 2020-21 financial year at 1580 million cubic metres. OB removal refers to removing topsoil in order to expose the coal seams and make them ready for mining.
He asked CIL management to approach companies currently importing coal to meet their demand and recommended that a comprehensive plan be drawn up to replace the imports.
Joshi has instructed CIL management to make all necessary preparations so that during the monsoon season production will not be affected. He asked the CIL authorities to provide all customers with quality coal and ensure that ample coal is available throughout the year at the power plants.
