Coal India’s MCL to Expand Production in Odisha with New Mine Openings

Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd (CIL), is set to initiate operations in two new coal mines within the Talcher coalfield in Odisha’s Angul district. These mines, named Subhadra and Balabhadra, boast coal reserves of 25 million tonnes (MT) and 10 MT, respectively. The Subhadra mine is slated to commence operations by the end of the financial year 2025-26, while the Balabhadra mine is projected to start by the end of the financial year 2029-30. MCL currently manages 18 coal mines across the districts of Angul, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda, including a combination of underground and open-cast operations. To ensure operational transparency, MCL has installed comprehensive CCTV coverage, currently monitoring 98% of its operational areas, with full coverage imminent. In addition, the company utilizes AI for real-time tracking of its GPS-equipped coal transport vehicles. In FY 2024-25, MCL produced 225 MT of coal, a 9% increase compared to the previous year, and dispatched 210 MT, a 6% rise. A significant focus is placed on environmental sustainability, with the company aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by FY 2029, investing ₹17,900 crore in renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and pumped storage initiatives. The company aims to achieve 239 MT of coal production in FY 2026, with a strategic plan to reach 300 MT by FY 2029-30.