Mahanadi Coalfields blames Nalco for irregular coal lifting

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), which feeds the captive power plant (CPP) of National Aluminium Company (Nalco) here, has blamed the aluminum major for its failure to ensure regular supply of rakes to lift coal and maintain adequate stock during the lean monsoon season.

MCL said, it had sent repeated reminders to Nalco to ensure continuous lifting of coal as coal mining and despatch becomes a tough task during the rainy season.

According to an MCL release, the coal company has put in place an early alarm procedure for its consumers wherein it provides information beforehand about situations and remedial measures thereof, so that the Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) commitments are fulfilled.

The coal company also claimed to have enough coal at its pit heads and sidings to meet the requirement of its consumers.

“Due to delay in getting forest clearance for land required for mining in Bharatpur Opencast Project (OCP) linked to Nalco CPP, there is reducing trend in coal production. MCL authorities have always brought the arising situation and possible arrangements to the notice of Nalco to manage the agreed supply of coal”, the release added.

MCL also requested Nalco's CPP unit here to lift coal through road as per their suitability from any mine of Talcher coalfields.

As on date, MCL has 6.5 million tonnes of coal stock lying at the pit heads of its mines and 250,000 tonnes at railway sidings in Talcher coalfields.

Nalco is to lift 22 per cent of total FSA during the current quarter (July-September) which comes to 10,000 tonnes per day and it is receiving that quantity from the MCL, the release stated.