ISSUE August 2017 RNI No. 34772/79 Rs.35
The Magazine with more than 40 years experience in
Mines and Machinary Industry World
NCL Committed
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to Progress and Development
WCL... beyond mining
WCL...beyond mining Mining coal to provide for the Nation's energy needs is WCL's mandate. We also empower people among whom we work - by providing for their vital needs like clean air, water, health and hygiene, education and skill-building. We are committed to it.
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COAL AND POWER LIMITED
COAL AND POWER LIMITED
(Formerly ST-CLI Coal Washeries Ltd.) Village Ratiza, Taluka Katgora, Korba Address for Correspondence: D-24 Urja Nagar,Behind SECL, Guest House, P.O. – Gevra, Distt.- Kobra – 495452, Tel/Fax: 07815 – 274447. Regd. Office: 18, Vasant Enclave, RaoTula Ram Marg, New Delhi – 110057. Email: info@spectrumcoal.com
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EDITOR’S DESK Managing Director Krishna Sarkar Director Saibal Sarkar Executive Editor Jayanta Mallick Financial Advisor Jishnudeb Mukherjee Tapabrath Bhattacharya Advisor Suvobrat Ganguly & P.P. Sengupta Technical Advisoer to Chairman WBMDTCL. Graphic Designer Sheikh A Murad Marketing & Communications Kishan Khandelia Preeti Jalan Ajitesh Churewal Cover Photo JoyGlobal Photo Pixabay Copyright Coalfield Times Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved throught the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Printed and published by Sounak Sarkar from 26, Mohon Bagan Row, Kolkata-70004 & Printed at Everest Print Pack, 93/1J, Baithakkhana Road, Kolkata - 700 009 Editoroal Section EE174A/7, Sector II, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700 091, Mobile : 8910763022 8584921108 e-mail: coalfieldtimes@yahoo.com coalfieldtimes Coalfield Times does not take responsibolity for returning unsolicited publication material.
Editor-in-Chief Sounak Sarkar
Responding to changing need of times oal and Coal India Ltd has always been in the news ever since it has been identified as a key strategic sector enabling to fulfill the requirement of our power demand. At one point of time – in around 2004-2005 when the country was targeting to take power production to 2 lakh mega watt, producing 343 million tonne of coal was a huge challenge for Coal India. It was from the days of the first IPO when coal production got a booster and CIL had set a target of producing 520 million tones mainly to cater to the needs of the power sector. At present the country has an installed capacity of 3,30,260 mw, but CIL with a production level of 555 mt is unable fire all the thermal power plants in the country with around 88,000 mw of capacity lying idle for want of coal. Whereas Coal India Ltd has also to face a situation where the demand is low and pit head stocks are piling up. The June issue of Fitch report on power sector analysis says at least 8 coal fired plants have critical stock position and the average inventory in the thermal power plants are confronting an all time low. That which has created this contradictory situation is a mix of factors – ranging from government policies on coal distribution to Coal India’s model of operation and business, on which shaping and re-shaping is a phenomena. The outlook on coal has undergone a sea change. From a less important sector it has become the country’s prime sector and the global coal market is revisiting the Indian coal sector to see how a government controlled segregated market has its spillover effect on the rest of the global coal market. The Indian coal sector is now a prime mover of the economy and India has now to do a lot in regulating the global market. One has now to see how the elements that govern the coal dynamics has crowded in the Indian coal sector and how are they behaving in the Indian coal dynamics. The Indian coal sector has been tweaking itself to fit with the global needs though on a conventional and protectionist framework and changes are being witnessed mostly in the operational front. Our latest issue highlights the changes that the coal behemoths have introduced, in the operational front and how the new models of distribution and business are working with the changing times and needs. Most importantly the coal companies have become environment sensitive, which is prompting huge changes in the models of operation and business.
Sounak Sarkar
CONTENTS
INTERVIEW
WCL: Working with a long term vision
“In coming years, the technology will play a major role to boost the production. In future, our dependence will be more on technology than on human resource.” RR Mishra, Chairman cum Managing Director Speaks. INTERVIEW
8 MCL: Growing from Strength to Strength
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“Mahanadi Coalfields is an important subsitiary of Coal India Ltd. , which significantly contributes to the overall performance of the coal PSU.” AK Jha, Chairman cum Managing Director Speasks to Coalfield Times.
EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY
JOY GLOBAL: The changing landscape of Indian mining industry “India’s mining industry is on a rapid growth for which the global mining giants are looking at India for bigger pie.” Shib Bhowmick, Country Head & Managing Director of Joy Global speaks to Coalfield Times.
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INTERVIEW
WCL: Working with a long term vision Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), Miniratna Government of India Enterprise and subsidiary of Coal India Limited, with its Head Office at Nagpur in Maharashtra, came into being in 1975 and was bifurcated in SECL and present WCL in 1986. WCL is engaged in mining through 87 mines spread in its 10 areas located in States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. WCL is marketing of Coal with a strong customer base comprising power, cement, steel, chemicals, fertilizers, paper and brick kilns etc. in South, North, West and Central India. It contributes about 7% of national coal production from its 3.26% of National Geological Coal Reserves. WCL has set various milestones in Production and its Corporate Social Responsibility during the last fiscal 2016-17. Apart from creating records in growth of production during last three months & especially in Marsh’ 17, WCL went all out in setting various milestones in producing employment, skill development, EcoTourism & other out of box initiatives. While adding many colorful feathers to the cap, the company has launched many pioneering and widely appreciated initiatives towards bringing meaningful change in the lives of the populace residing in and around its command area. RR Mishra, Chairman cum Managing Director speaks.
hat is your outlook on production and offtake in 2017? Where do you see the production curve going in the next five years? In order to fulfil the demand of coal in our country and its contribution towards the commitment of government for “Power to All”; Coal India has outlined the roadmap for production through its vision 2020 document. Similarly Western Coalfields has also geared up to contribute towards the goal of CIL for 1 Bt by 2019-20. In current fiscal, WCL has committed to
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India is still dependent on coal resources for commercial energy and the weightage of coal is not going to decrease in near future. However, it is also a fact that demand is more a constraint than the production in today’s scenario. Government is planning to reduce its coal import by producing high quality indigenous coal. achieve the coal production of 48.5 Mt. WCL has added 18 projects in last two and half year for building up the required capacity to meet future challenges. We shall strive to despatch the complete coal produced during the FY 2017-18 beside liquidating the current stock. In the next five years, the production of
WCL will be increasing continuously with the contribution from our newly opened mines. What are your plan for expansion ? How do you foresee the technology play in the production of coal in the next five years ? Which countries have been taking the lead role in supplying
INTERVIEW and managing technology to WCL ? What is WCL’s share in India’s mining equipment market ? Where do you see it going in the next five years ? WCL is working with a long-term vision of 100 Million Tonne Company. Though the natural deposits of resource i.e. Coal is not favourable to open mega mines in the command area of WCL, however taking the advantage of our expertise with available resources, we are moving on the path of growth. In coming years, the technology will play a major role to boost the production. In future, our dependence will be more on technology than on human resource. This will add the advantage of less exposure of risk to human beings with rapid production technology. Though mining sector has delayed the acceptance of modern technology, but today the technology is gaining its ground in this sector at a very fast pace. Though in Opencast, technology adoption had picked up the pace in last few years through adoption of technologically advanced machine like Surface Miner, higher capacity equipment etc. But our endeavour is to adopt advance technology in Underground mine. Recently,
we have planned few of our U/G mines with Continuous Miners. The requirement of mining machineries
of WCL is catered through global tenders and no single country is leading in this field. A constructive change is taking place in this sector by collaboration of Indian Companies with global players which will contributed to the technological capacities of Indian firms. With the vision of our government for “Make in India”, future will see more products of Indigenous make. How do you place WCL among the subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd ? Does it have any speciality of its own compared to other subsidiaries ? Every subsidiary of Coal India has got its own challenges. However, the unique challenges of WCL are its quality of deposits, deep seated coal deposits with difficult geo mining conditions and geological deformities. This is adding our
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INTERVIEW production cost and effecting the profitability of the company. Please tell us about the initiatives of WCL in giving green cover to its abandoned mines. How far has WCL been responsive to Corporate Social Responsibility? After utilizing water filled in various voids of abandoned mines for neighbouring community, these patched are completely filled up up-to ground level with over burden / soil and afforestation is done. WCL has planted 18.39 Million trees on 6671 Ha of land in and around its command area as on date. WCL has proved itself a good corporate citizen and has invested on various prestigious projects under CSR i.e providing Drinking Water, Education, Skill Development, Women Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources, Protection of National
Left side Shri Rajiv Rajan Mishra, CMD, WCL Centre. Shri Piyush Goyal Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy, Mines. & Right side Dr. Sanjay Kumar Director (Personnel), WCL.
Heritage, Art and Culture, Promotion of Sports, Rural Development Projects, Contribution to Swachh Bharat Kosh set up by Central Govt., Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan etc. What is your take on the emerging coal scenario ? Will demand for coal rise in the near future or stock piles of coal will go up ? How is India poised to play in the global coal market ? Do you think the green energy sector is increasingly posing a challenges to the Indian Coal Sector ? India is still dependent on coal resources for commercial energy and the weightage of coal is not going to decrease in near future. However, it is also a fact that demand is more a constraint than the production in today’s scenario. Government is planning to reduce its coal import by producing high quality indigenous coal.
Left side Shri Saibal Sarkar, Director, Coalfield Times with Shri Rajiv Rajan Mishra, CMD, WCL
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So far the green energy is concerned, it is not a challenge, but it is a boon for the better future of India. India has committed
towards the global environmental mitigation through Paris Agreement-2015 to produce 40% of its installed electric capacity by green energy. India is far behind in the per capita energy consumption and any addition by green energy will add up to the per capita consumption. It may have an impact on coal industry but simultaneously India’s energy requirement is also increasing. The green energy will have its share in the increased demand of energy, not in the existing demand of coal. What are the special initiatives taken by WCL for society? Apart above, while adding many colorful feathers to the cap, the company has also launched many pioneering and widely appreciated initiatives towards bringing meaningful change in the lives of the populace residing in and around its command area, out of which few prestigious initiatives are:a) WCL’s initiatives for gainful utilization of water discharged from the Mines
INTERVIEW puter education, and technical training like Fitter, Electrician, Motor winding, Machinist, Welder, mobile repair, Injection Moulding, Plastic Extrusion, Blow Moulding, Plastic Processing, etc. d) Extraction of Sand from OB, is a prestigious project of WCL to support low cost housing society. WCL has started gainful utilization of Over Burden for extraction of sand & supply it to Nagpur Improvement Trust under the MoU signed on 1st Jan. 2017. A pilot project of making bricks using mix of clay from OB and ash from power plant is another ambitious project of WCL to support further low cost housing schemes. for recharging ground water, irrigation and water supply for drinking under “Jal Sahayog”&”K2K”as well as contribution in “JalyuktaShivar” scheme, benefitted thousands of villagers. K2K project of WCL has been awarded with Gold award among top fifty projects of the country. Recently WCL has also provided RO treated water to the villagers of Nilgaon and soon another RO water plant is being installed in Patansongi village near Nagpur. Further gainfully utilizing water discharged from the Mines, WCL is planning to supply water for irrigation through a MoU with the irrigation department of State Government.
c) WCL has trained about 6400 PAPs and villagers living in and around of its command areas through four skill development centers, under project “Udaan” ‘Shakti” “Kisan’’ & “Arogyya” in Entrepreneurship development, Women empowerment, Farmers/Agro-based occupations, Paramedic, Nursing, com-
e) Expanding the company further WCL is also eyeing to get coal blocks in neighbouring states. f) Agro farming is planned to be done on empty land of the company for Cotton farming on unused land for supporting Cottage industry and PAPs.
b) Eco Mine Tourism, the first of its kind in the country. The initiative was appreciated and specially mentioned by The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India during his “Man Ki Baat” on March 27, 2016. The motive of the initiative is to create awareness of coal mining & ecological balance among the populace. The initiative has been tied up with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation on 16th December, 2016 to attract Indian as well as foreign visitors.
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FACE TO FACE
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Committed to Progress and Development Mr. T.K. Nag, CMD, NCL talks to Coalfields Times about its growth trajectory.
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FACE TO FACE lease give us a brief on NCL’s present production status? Where is it going to go in the next five years? NCL has 10 numbers of opencast mines and it produced 84.10 Mt Coal during the year 2016-17 with a growth of nearly 5%. In 2017-18, we expect 90 Mt coal productions with 7% growth over last year. We have planned to achieve 110 Mt Coal Production by 2019-20 at CAGR of 6.52% over the 5 years from 2015-16 to 2019-20. What is your targeted production for FY 18? Have you chalked out any plan for achieving? The target for FY 2017-18 is 89 MT. This will be achieved during FY 201718. How far is technology crucial in operating your mines? Have you planned to adopt any new technology in the course of expansion? NCL has large opencast mines with 3 Mt to 20 Mt production capacity. There are
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7 number mines having 4 Mt and above rated production capacity and all these mines are operated with Draglines & Shovel-Dumper combination. Therefore, technology is crucial to our mines and we are constantly upgrading these mines in terms of technology. OITDS has been introduced in 5 of the Mega Projects having rated capacity of 10 Mt or more. We have Laser Scanner for survey &
monitoring and Simulator for training of dumper operators. Very soon, Survey and Ground Profiling of 4 mines is going to be done by latest technology using Drone. Permission for using Drone has been granted by DGCA. We are awaiting clearance from Defence & Home Ministries. Technology adoption in HEMMs of NCL NCL has introduced 04 nos. (Jayant-02, Krishnashila-01, Dudhichua-01) Surface Miners of size 4000 MM Drum Diameter, which has eliminated drilling and blasting in its working range in Coal.
FACE TO FACE NCL has planned the followings in recent as well as future procurement of HEMMs:Higher capacity Draglines, Shovels, Dumpers, Dozers. Also introduction of AC digital drive in Draglines & Shovels. Providing online real-time monitoring interface facility for monitoring of vital data of equipment, payload monitoring system, Vehicle health monitoring system, proximity warning device, rear view camera, Audio Visual Alarm, Tail gate protection/ Anti-collision device/ Inherent design geometry and rear & right hand side view monitoring system in 100 T as well as 180-200T Dumpers. NDT facility at Condition Monitoring Cell for ensuring structural stability of HEMMs Also, procurement of Simulator is being done for Dragline, Shovel & Dozer Air conditioning has been provided in operator cabins of HEMMs Simulator Training has been provided to Dumper operators.
Recently the controller of coal has downgraded some mines in terms of quality. Have any mines of NCL been downgraded? What will be the financial impact of NCL due to this exercise? In the Annual coal gradation F.Y 201718, some dispatch points/ sidings of NCL Projects has been downgraded by office of coal controller which are likely to have financial implications. Where do you see NCL’s business going in the next five years? At present NCL has 10 numbers of opencast mines and it produced 84.10 Mt Coal during the year 2016-17 with
a growth of nearly 5% over previous year. In 2017-18, we expect 90 Mt coal productions with a 7% growth over last year. We have planned to achieve 110 Mt Coal Production by 2019-20 at CAGR of 6.52% over the 5 years. NCL has resources for a sustained coal production of 100 Mty for about 45 years. Biggest advantage with NCL is availability of consumers at pit head. So, we are comfortable as far as business of the company is concerned. Does NCL have any bottlenecks in evacuating coal? What is the status of your pit head stock now? NCL has following bottlenecks in evacuating coal Single railway line movement from Shaktinagar to Karela road and also between Singrauli and Chopan/Katni.
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FACE TO FACE Khel tarang (village sports and cultural activities) Sab swasth (health camps, distribution of aids & appliances to pwd’s etc.) Sab sakshar (education and literacy related activities) Swaksh jal (installation of hand pumps and construction of ponds and check dams) Expenditure under CSR in 2016-17 is Rs 75 Crs (prov.) against the targets of Rs 74 Crs (approx). Limited rake holding capacity of Railway yards. Status of coal stock is given belowStock as on 01.04.2017 Stock as on 29.05.2017 7.23 Mill. Tes. 6.88 Mill. Tes.
Please throw us some light about your CSR activity? In Singrauli Coalfield - over the years - local populace has benefitted from mining and other activities undertaken by NCL. Land losers have been provided with employment, compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation benefits depending on the quantum of land acquired. Mining in this region has also generated indirect employment for sizeable number of population. NCL has adopted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a strategic tool for sustainable growth in the operating region. NCL endeavours towards the upliftment of the poor and underprivileged people of this area through various schemes/activities and also by sharing its in-house facilities with them. The fund for the CSR is allocated based on 2% of the average net profit of the Company for the three immediate preceding financial years or Rs. 2.00 per tonne of Coal pro-
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duction of previous year, whichever is higher. The CSR activities undertaken in NCL are divided into 7 broad categories depending on the nature of work. These are as follows: Gaon jodo abhiyaan (construction of roads, bridges and culverts etc.) Aadhar (infrastructure projects like electrification, housing projects, community halls etc.) Kaushal (skill development training programme to increase employment etc.)
What is your long term vision for the company? NCL has resources for a sustained coal production of 100 Mty for about 45 yrs. biggest advantage with NCL is availability of consumers at pit head. So, we are comfortable as far as business of the company is concerned. NCL has made great contribution in development of the Singrauli District since its inception in 1985. We are committed to improve the living conditions of the people around us by extending infrastructure, health and education facilities.
INTERVIEW
MCL: Growing from Strength to Strength Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd is an important subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, which significantly contributes to the overall performance of the coal PSU. While the Union coal ministry has set a target of producing 1 billion tonne by 2020, it has charted a number of plans centering MCL that can help in achieving the government’s 1 billion tonne target. MCL chairman cum managing director, AK Jha speaks to Coalfield Times enumerating about the action plans of the company. Excerpts he Union government is betting high on MCL. It is thinking in terms of increasing production by 150 million tonnes per annum from Talcher and IB Valley. So how is MCL planning to do this targeted production?
as 149.3MT. Last year MCL produced 139.2MT and roughly we have to increase the coal production of about 10MT, which is quite possible provided the problems faces in Talcher Coalfield mainly related to law and order issues are addressed.
Target for the year 2017-18 has been given
Where do you see MCL’s production
going in the next five years? How much do you plan to produce next year? In next 05 years two new mines in Basundhara Field of Ib-valley Coalfields are going to come-up namely Siarmal and Garjanbahal OCP and from there we can add 50 MT, thus totaling to 200 MT. Next
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INTERVIEW
We have already adopted the eco-friendly technology of coal production through Surface Miner and about 92% production is coming through this mode. Hence, in case of MCL, where maximum coal comes from opencast mines and where we have already deployed the best technology, further role of technology in increasing production is not so crucial. There is only issue of possession of land by shifting of villages to the resettlement sites. year i.e. in 2018-19 coal production would be to be tune of 157 to 160 MT. How far is technology crucial in increasing production? We have already adopted the eco-friendly technology of coal production through Surface Miner and about 92% production is coming through this mode. Hence, in case of MCL, where maximum coal comes from opencast mines and where we have already deployed the best technology, further role of technology in increasing production is not so crucial. There is only issue of possession of land by shifting of villages to the resettlement sites. Please give us some details about the evacuation facilities coming up? At present the evacuation scenario is about 75% of coal is transported by Rail mode and remaining 25% by Road mode to the nearby local industries. Presently there is no rail linkage for Basundhara Coalfield and for this reason Indian
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Railway is constructing Jharsuguda-Sardega rail linkage at an estimated cost of Rs.1100 crores for single line and Rs.2500 crores for double line and it is expected that this rail linkage will be operational from September 2017. In addition we are concentrating on increasing transportation through rail mode for which Tube Conveyor – Rapid Loading System – SILO are under construction at Bharatpur OCP (15 MTPA), Lingaraj OCP (16 MTPA), Hingula OCP (10 MTPA), Bhubaneswari OCP (10 MTPA), Lakhanpur OCP (10 MTPA) at an estimated cost of Rs.1000 crores and further such system are under planning stage for all the viable railway sidings. In addition doubling of the rail linkages auto-signaling system inter-connectivity of sidings, maintenance of siding as well as tracks, etc. have been given to Indian Railway and we are incurring more than 1000 crores on this account. Road corridors bypassing densely populated areas are under construction at Talcher Coalfield and Ib-valley Coalfield at an estimated expenditure of Rs.500 crores. MBPL, a pit head thermal power plant is
also coming up which will consume about 9-10 MT coal per year. What will be the impact on finances from MCL’s new projects? Garjanbahal and Siarmal will be the new projects in next 5 years including expansion of some old projects. MCL is a cash rich company and there will be no issue in financing the new projects as well as expansion projects. These new projects will added to the profit of MCL. How are the prospects of coal gasification looking in MCL? There has not been much advances and R&D insitu coal gasification of the deposits in the existing UG mines of MCL. However, it will be a beneficial project if insitu coal gasification technology is developed for UG mines of Talcher and Ib-valley Coalfield where a lot of coal is blocked in pillars over the densely populated town area where evacuation of the population will not be a viable proposition
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INTERVIEW Jharsuguda, School building, Boundary Wall, Kitchen, etc. in all the four districts we are operating, Renovation of Pond, Construction of Bathing Ghat, Water Harvesting in all the 04 districts and other nearby district where we are in operation, development of Community Centre at different required places in these four districts at an expenditure of more than 30 crores. Recently the coal controller has downgraded some mines in terms of quality? How many of MCL mines have been downgraded? What will be its impact on MCL’s finances? and if we can take the heat value/gas value without disturbing the surface features and population this can help a lot, for which proper R&D activity are required to be taken up. Can you tell us something about your newly conceived solar power project? Why did MCL scrap the thermal power project? MCL was 1st company of CIL to construct 2 MW Solar Power Plant as a pilot project to prove the potential. Now as per Govt. Policy we have to become energy zero company that means the total energy we are consuming annually for our internal activities will have to be given back in terms of renewable energy and for this we are planning to invest in Solar Parks, Wind Parks and other renewable projects. We have not scrapped the pit head Thermal Power Plants at Basundhara Coalfield and we are in a process of obtaining the statutory clearances and selection of consultants for establishing the same. What is MCL’s employee strength at present? Where do you see it going in the next five years?
Employees status at present is around 22,000 and in next 05 years it may go up to 24,000. Please tell us something about MCL’s CSR activity? MCL is committed for CSR activity as per the DPE guidelines of Govt. of India and as per the CSR Policy of CIL/MCL. 2% of the average profit before tax for the last 03 consecutive years is taken as CSR budget which comes to around 120 crores and the back log of previous year is to be spent in that particular year itself. The main focus areas are drinking water, health, sanitation, education, sports, infrastructure development, etc. We are going to establish a Medical College at Talcher Coalfield at an expenditure of about Rs.500 cores, number of piped water supply schemes are also under implementation at a cost of more than Rs.100 crores. Super speciality hospitals are being constructed by MCL at Jharsuguda and Sundargarh costing more than Rs.200 crores, Stadium and Sports Complex at Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Angul, Sundargarh with expenditure more than Rs.50 crores and Bus Stand at
Strata containing the coal seam are purely heterogeneous in nature and there are different geological disturbances like faults, washout, etc. due to which uniformity is very difficult and grades may change in the same mine as per the strata it is encountering. Based on the very few samples grades of the mine and siding have been ascertained and some of the mines have been down graded and some of the mines have also been up graded. So there is no major issue as far as coal mining is concerned. Heterogeneous nature of strata and as already explained uniformity is not guaranteed. However, we have to operate in a range of coal grade quality and it is expected that there will be no significant impact on the finances. Please throw us some light on MCL’s present pit head stock position? Pit head stock in MCL was around 6.4 MT on 1st April 2017 and it is further reducing due to insufficient coal production from Talcher Coalfield because of law and order problems faced during the month of April. On 1st May the stock was around 5.6 MT (1 MT less).s
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EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF INDIAN MINING INDUSTRY India's mining industry is on a rapid growth for which the global mining giants are looking at India for a bigger pie. Shib Bhowmik, Country Head & Managing Director of Joy Global and Samaresh Mitra, National Sales Head of Joy Global, speaks to Coalfield Times on its product and growth of mining industry oday the customer service is not limited to products. Being partner in customer’s success has become mantra in the manufacturing industry. How is your company’s approach to it? Shib: We focus on helping our customers increase their productivity, reducing their cost of production and putting highest priority on safety in everything that we do. We help controls costs by localizing
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and being closer to our customers. We have agreements with some customers to ensure the parts and components they need are available easily right when they need them. We also offer life cycle management of our equipment on cost per hour of operation and even on ‘Cost per Ton’ basis especially for underground equipment. How do you look at rapidly changing mining industry landscape in India?
Shib: Especially for coal mining in India we see higher capacity mines both in surface and underground. This requires higher productivity machines, an enhanced focus on safety and greater collaborationbetween the mines and original equipment manufacturers/service providers. Both Coal India and Singareni Collieries are introducing more mechanized room and pillar mining with continuous miners
EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY
and shuttle cars, and mechanized longwall mining. In surface mining, mines are starting to explore the use of higher capacity loading and hauling equipment such as larger electric mining shovels,dumpers and draglines.
in UG metal mining (drilling, loading and hauling equipment), mineral sizing equipment for metallic ore mining.
Which are the mining sectors that drive the demand for mining equipment in India? Could you provide a case to case comparison of equipment demand from various mining segments?
Samaresh: Rope shovels, wheel loaders and draglines, along with our crushing and conveying range of products.
Shib: Coal mining is the biggest trigger for large size surface mining equipment requirement in India – because of sheer volume of OB removal requirement. Due to increased pressure to reduce cost of production we also see more mechanization and resultant demand for UG mining equipment like Continuous miners. Of course, there are pockets of demand
What products are in demand in opencast mining for Joy Global in India?
Tell us about the initiatives taken to augment the sales and service networks and training for the operator? Shib: We have service support available close to our customers. We have also have our manufacturing and service facility in Nagpur. We do training programs for customer personnel on a regular basis. Have the government’s latest policy initiatives helped the mining industry
and mining equipment companies in significant way? Samaresh: Yes, with more and more large capacity mines having life of around 30 years and being allocated to the private sector, the demand for mining equipment has gone up substantially and is expected to grow further with time. Opening up mines for commercial mining would attract interest from global mining companies to invest in India, with the right policies in place. This could lead to increased use of the latest mining technologies available, further increasing safety and productivity. What is the current portfolio? How do you service the customers who have procured equipment of earlier brands and range? Shib: Globally our portfolio of equip-
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EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY ment offering in surface mining includes powerful blast hole drills, electric mining shovels,. electric wheel loaders, draglines, high angle conveyors, overland conveyors, crushers and feeder breakers. With Komatsu now the range will also include dozers and haul trucks. We offer equipment for drilling, loading, hauling, dozing, crushing and conveying.
of equipment is a market leader in underground coal mining, with mechanized equipment including continuous miners, shuttle cars and bolting rigs. We have supplied high productivity, safety-focused equipment and services to many projects
For underground coal mining our offerings include a full range of mechanized room and pillar mining equipment such as continuous miners for different seam conditions, shuttle cars, bolting equipment, feeder breakers and more. We also have equipment for fast drivage, and simultaneous cutting and bolting solutions.
Komatsu Mining Corp.’s Joy brand of equipment is a market leader in underground coal mining, with mechanized equipment including continuous miners, shuttle cars and bolting rigs. We have supplied high productivity, safetyfocused equipment and services to many projects in India and globally.
For longwall mining our full-system solutions include high performance shearers,hydraulic power supports, AFCs and all related equipment. For underground hard rock mining, we offer drilling, loading and hauling equipment. Can you explain the current mining projects in which you are involved? Shib : Komatsu Mining Corp.’s Joy brand
in India and globally. We have our UG equipment successfully operating with Coal India and SCCL. We have maximum number of our electric mining shovels operating in Norther Coalfields Ltd. We have also our electric loaders in large private mines. What is your long-term vision for the company? Shib: We arecommitted to directly servicing the mining industry and through our products, services and technologies we are focused on helping customers improve productivity and safety in their operations worldwide. Combining the Komatsu, Joy, P&H and Montabert brands, we are working to become an unrivaled mining solutions and services provider. In India we are implementing that global strategy in line with the local requirements of our mining customers.
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• July 2017