Bharat Coking Coal Limited:

Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) is a Public Sector Undertaking engaged in mining of coal and

allied activities.
It occupies an important place in as much as it produces bulk of the coking coal mined in the
country. BCCL meets almost 50% of the total prime coking coal requirement of the integrated steel

sector.
BCCL was incorporated in January, 1972 to operate coking coal mines (214 Nos) operating in the
Jharia & Raniganj Coalfields, taken over by the Govt. of India on 16th Oct,1971 to ensure planned

development of the scarce coking coal resources in the country.

Currently, the Company operates 81 coal mines which include 40 underground, 18 opencast &

23 mixed mines as on 01.04.2010.

The Company also runs 6 coking coal washeries, 2 non-coking coal washeries.

The mines are grouped into 13 areas for administrative convenience.

The total manpower as on 1.4.05 was 92,268 and as on 01.03.2010 is 72,222.

Areas:
Barora Area
Brief History of Barora Area & its location.

Barora Area, consists of four mines namely Muraidih Colliery, Phularitand Colliery, Damoda

Colliery and Madhuband Colliery, is located on the western end of Jharia Coalfield.
In FY 2013-14, Barora Area produced 3256574 Te of coal & earned profit of Rs. 34918.59 lacs
with 3356 employees.

(A) Muraidih Colliery.

Its leasehold area is about 717.66 hectare and it has a reserve of 115 million tonnes.

In FY 2013-14, produced 1534501 Te of coal using shovel dumper combination & earned profit

of Rs. 13561.2 lacs with 1392 employees .

The colliery has one hired HEMM open cast mine operated by M/s B.K.B. Transport Pvt. Ltd. For
extraction of OB and transportation of coal, produced 400164 Te of coal & earned profit of Rs.

7493.22 lacs in FY 2013-14.

Shatabdi OCP was carved out of Muraidih Colliery in the year 2000 and later amalgamated to

Muraidih colliery in Apr2014.

Work order was issued to Minop Company for starting Muraidih underground mine to extract the

Seam I & III by using mass production technology .i.e. using continuous Miners.
Two stage plantation has been done through forest dept. of Dhanbad. 32.5 hectare plantation
has been handed over to BCCL in 2005 and another 41.5 hectare plantation has been done in 201112.

The project has Environment Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Villages near the mine Muraidih village,Behra Kudar, Chitahi, Darida, Jhagrahi, Sinduartand,
Patchri, Harina, Bansjora, Dumra, Khonati, Barora, Jamuatand.

(B) Damoda Colliery

The only mine of BCCL which is situated at Bokaro District.

The mine consists of two UG collieries one pit and one Incline and one departmental and one

Hired HEMM opencast mine.

Its total leasehold area is 575 hectare and it has a reserve of 17.80 million tonnes.

In FY 2013-14, UG mines produced 110404 Te of coal with SDLs (UG mine is loaderless) with 800

employees.
In FY 2013-14, Opencast mine produced 115545 Te of coal using shovel dumper combination

with 247 employees.

The colliery has one hired HEMM open cast mine operated by M/s Sainik Mining & Allied Services

Ltd., produced 250940 Te of coal & earned profit of Rs. 7763.31 lacs.
Project Report has been prepared by CMPDI for Chandrapura Coal block, near Chandrapura

station under Damoda colliery. Its lease hold area is 100 hectare and it has a coal reserve of 55 MT.
Ecological restoration programme of 6.88 hectare land is being done under the guidance of FRI,

Dehradun.
Environment Clearance has been granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Villages near the mine Dugda, Karmatand, Taranga, Kurumba, Bandhdih, Kari Dugda.

(D) Phularitand Colliery

The colliery has a total leasehold area of 741.88 hectare with 116.06 million tonnes of

reserve.
In FY 2013-14, UG mines produced zero Te of coal making loss of Rs. 4487.46 lacs with 607

employees.
In FY 2013-14, OCP produced 7830 Te of coal & earned profit of Rs. 552.32 lacs.

In FY 2013-14, Hired HEMM OCP operated by M/s Madhucon Project Ltd. , produced 837190 Te

of coal & earned profit of Rs. 12681.53 lacs .

At present, coal production has been started from two inclines by SDL from Apr14 with a

target of 0.5 MT per annum.

Ecological restoration programme of 2.5 hectare land has been started under the guidance of

FRI, Dehradun.
The project has Environment Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Villages near the mine Barora, Dumra, Benidih, Madhuband, Kharkhari, Budora, Nawagarh,
Sinidih, Chitahi, Tundu.

(E) Madhuband Colliery

The UG mine has a total leasehold area of 393.77 hectare with a coal reserve of 286.6 million

tonnes.
Global tender has been called to produce 1 MT per annum using mass production technology. The
underground production is expected to start from the year 2014-15.

Govindpur Area
The Govindpur Area was formed by the above mentioned Private Collieries. Presently the Govindpur
Area has only 9 (Nine) Collieries whose names are as under :
1.

New Akashkinaree Colliery

2.

Govindpur Colliery

3.

Block-IV/Kooridih Colliery

4.

Jogidih Colliery

5.

Maheshpur Colliery

6.

Kharkhari Colliery

7.

Dharmabandh Colliery

8.

South Govindpur Colliery

9.

Tettuliya Colliery.

LOCATION :
The Govindpur Area is located about 25 K.M. from Dhanbad Railway Station. It is connected by both
Railway and Road. Govindpur Area is connected by Dhanbad-Ranchi Railway line and nearest halt
Station is Sonardih and nearest junction is Katras Station. Govindpur Area is connected by DhanbadSonardih Road via Katras and the road is extended upto Dhanbad-Ranchi Road (NH-32) which meets at
Moudha more through Kharkhari. The Khudu River across in the western part of the area. The Bhgdighi
Jore across in the eastern part of the area and Kali Jore is entering from the western part of the area
at Maheshpur Colliery and meets at Khudu River.
North : In the Northern side of Govindpur Area is non-coal bearing area.
South : In Southern side Ranidih Colliery & Muchiradih Colliery.
East : In the eastern side of the Area is Chatabandh Baste and TATA s Chetudih Colliery
West : In the Western side of Govindpur Area Murlidih & Satabdih OCP of Borora Area.
NO. OF COLLIERIES INCLUDING HIRED HEMM PATCHES :
1.

New Akashkinaree Colliery (Two Nos. hired patch.)

2.

Govindpur Colliery (One Nos hired patch Tender in process)

3.

Block-IV/Kooridih Colliery

4.

Jogidih Colliery

5.

Maheshpur Colliery

6.

Kharkhari Colliery

7.

Dharmabandh Colliery

8.

South Govindpur Colliery

9.
Tetturiya Colliery.
FUTURE PLANING :
1. New Akashkinaree Colliery :
There is a proposal of diversion of D.B. Road from Bhatmunda more to Chatabandh baste in the
northern side of Akashkinaree Colliery (de-coaled ) area, there will be a wide scope for running large
OCP from X seam to IV seam.
2. Block-IV/Kooridih Colliery:
Land of Bairdih baste which is in the lease hold area of Jogidih Colliery will be acquired through
Company s R&R policy and there will be scope of large OCP consisting of lease hold of Jogidih & BlockIV/Kooridih Colliery from XA seam to IV seam.
3. Dharmabandh Colliery:
Global Tender has invited for Re-open of
from XVIII (Top) to XIII seam

Dharmabandh Colliery U/G Mines in Joint venture system

Block-II Area
Historical
Block-II Area came into existence in the year 1983-84 primarily for the production of Coking Coal with
the inclusion of the Nudkhurkee OCP, Benedih OCP, Jamunia OCP & the opening of Block-II Project. The
Block-II Project was funded by World Bank. The project was envisaged to improve the financial position
of BCCL and to meet the growing demand of Coking Coal in the country.
In the year 2002-03 Benedih OCP, Nudkhurkee OCP & Block-II OCP (Coking coal) were amalgamated and
Block-II OCP (Non-coking) Project came into existence. In 2003-04 Madhuban Coal Washery also came
under the administrative control of Block-II Area.
Location
Block-II Area is situated about 40 KM west of Dhanbad & its
Latitude

23 4730 to 23 4630

Longitude

86 1330 to 86 1030

The Administrative Office of the General Manager of Block-II Area is situated in the palace of the
Erstwhile Maharaja of Nawagarh Estate near the present Dumra Bus stand at a distance of 40 km West
from BCCL headquarters, Koyla Bhawan, Dhanbad. All the projects under Block-II Area are situated 3-5
km away from the Area Office.The distances of the Area office from nearby important places are as :

40 km away from Dhanbad Railway station.

10 km away from Gomoh Railway station

4 km away from local railway station like Phulwartanr and Khanudih (Baghmara).

Public conveyance
The place is well connected by road with Dhanbad, Gomoh, Chandrapura & Phusro. Public transport
facility is available to all the above places.
No of Collieries:
Departmental
Block-II OCP
Jamunia OCP

BLOCK-II
JAMUNIA -OCP
Details of Leasehold area
Total leasehold area is 907 Hectares.

Hired HEMM Patch

Crusher Patch-II(A) & III
Kali Mandir Patch-II

Area affected by Fire & subsidence & its dealing

Total area affected by fire & subsidence:Area affected by fire is eastern part of Block-II OCP Mine upto No. X Seam is approximately 14.5
Hectares. Fire patches are under operation to dig out the fiery coal and combustible materials to save
the coal from burning and to stop further spread of the fire.
Further in Block-II OCP, CIMFR has been awarded to prepare scheme for dealing of fire near AdraGomoh railway line.
Workshop facilities:
Block-II Area has workshop facilities located at:
1. Block-II OCP Dumper Workshop
2. Jamunia OCP Dumper Workshop
3. Regional Repair Workshop (RRWS)
BLOCK-II OCP DUMPER WORKSHOP
Here the maintenance & repairs of Dumpers, Pay-loaders, Cranes & other workshop equipment are
carried out. The works carried out here include washing, greasing, daily maintenance, periodical
maintenance & running repairs.
Dumpers at maintenance shed
The facilities available here are:
a) Diesel Dispensing unit ( Fixed unit)
b) Movable diesel dispensing facility (Diesel Bouzer)
c) High pressure washing facility with ramp.
d) Pneumatic grease pumps for greasing

e) Centralized lubrication system

f) Tyre Inflation facility Battery
g) Charging facility
h) Distilled water plant
i) Welding & Gas cutting arrangement
j) Hydraulic jacks & pressure gauges
k) Mobile servicing units (Maintenance Vans)
JAMUNIA OCP DUMPER WORKSHOP
Here like Block-II OCP Dumper workshop, the maintenance & repairs of Dumpers, Pay loaders, Cranes &
other workshop equipments are carried out. Even Dozers are maintained at this workshop. The works
carried out here include washing, greasing, daily maintenance, periodical maintenance & running
repairs. The facilities available here are:
a) Diesel Dispensing unit( Fixed unit)
b) Movable diesel dispensing facility (Diesel Bouzer)
c) High pressure washing facility with ramp.
d) Pneumatic grease pumps for greasing
e) Tyre Inflation facility
f) Battery Charging facility
g) Welding & Gas cutting arrangement
h) Hydraulic jacks & pressure gauges
i) Mobile servicing units(Maintenance Van)
REGIONAL REPAIR WORKSHOP
This is the workshop that caters to the major repair works of both Block-II OCP & Jamunia OCP. The
jobs mainly carried out here are as hereunder:
1. Heavy mechanical repairs
2. Reclamation works
3. Manufacturing works involving turning, machining, milling, slotting etc except casting, forging, heat
treatment or annealing works.

4. Electrical maintenance repair works of motors, generators like assembling, changing of internal
components, minor rewinding, insulation & varnishing works.
5. Assembling & component changing of mine pumps
6. Rehabilitation works of Dozers, Drills & Dumpers
7. Maintenance works of Cranes & Graders
The facilities available at RRWS for the various repair works include:
a) BICCO Lathe machines for handling heavy jobs
b) HMT make lathe machines for handling medium/small jobs
c) HMT make milling machine
d) HMT make radial drills
e) BATLIBOI Make shaper machine
f) ACCUMAX Make standard vertical drill
g) Power hacksaws
h) HMT make surface grinder
i) Overhead Cranes
j) Hydraulic jacks
k) Welding/gas cutting sets
l) Portable grinders, drills
Future planning
One Underground Coal mine of 0.45MTY capacity is going to be started in near future in the Area
involving continuous miner technology. One Washery behind the existing Washery is under construction.

Jharia Coalfield
The history of Jharia Coalfield was started since nineteenth century. The only energy source during
those years, the mining was carried out through manual and semi-manual methods resulting into large
scale degradation of land, forests and environment. The unscientific mining resulted into large scale
mine-fires, subsidence and land degradation. The mines of Jharia Coalfields were taken over by BCCL
from the erstwhile private mine owners. Most of the mines had their history from pre-nationalization
period.

During the takeovers of the mines in 1972 in BCCL from private mine owners, the data like leasehold
area, underground mine planning, production capacity was unknown. However, most of the mines were
further re-organized.
Most of the mines are contiguous in nature and the environmental impact is overlapping in ambient
environment due to cumulative effect of the mining activities.
In Katras group of mines, the following underground, open-cast and mixed (UG+OC) mines exist.
1. Salanpur Colliery (UG)
2. Amalgamated Angarapathra Ramkanali Colliery (UG)
3. Amalgamated West Mudidih-Keshalpur Colliery (Mixed)
4. Katras Choitudih Colliery(UG)
5. Gaslitand OCP hired to extract Steel-II grade Coal.
LOCATION
The location of the mines is as under :
Sl
No

Name of Mines

Latitude
23 47 30
1
Salanpur Colliery (Mixed)
N
Amalgamated Angarapathra Ramkanali Colliery 23 47 20
2
(UG)
N
Amalgamated West Mudidih-Keshalpur Colliery 23 48 20
3
(Mixed)
N
23 46 40
4
Katras Choitudih Colliery(UG)
N
NAME OF COLLIERIES INCLUDING HIRED PATCHES
DEPARTMENTAL
1. Salanpur Colliery (Mixed)
2. Amalgamated Angarapathra Ramkanali Colliery (UG)
3. Amalgamated West Mudidih-Keshalpur Colliery (Mixed)
4. Katras Choitudih Colliery(UG)
HIRED PATCHES
5. Chandore Patch (Hired)

to 23 48
to 23 48
to 23 48
to 23 47

Longitude
30 86 17 30
E
45 86 18 00
E
36 86 18 55
E
45 86 17 40
E

to 86 18 30
to 86 19 30
to 86 19 44
to 86 18 45

6. Kantapahari (Hired)
7. Gaslitand Patch (Hired)
RESERVE UPTO 300 M DEPTH
Sl No
Name of Colliery
1
Katras Choitudih
2
AARC
3
Salanpur
4
Gaslitand
5
AKWMC
DETAILS OF LEASE HOLD AREA

Total Reserve
83.330
115.644
64.976
105.140
45.287

Sl No.
Name of Colliery
1
Salanpur
2
AARC
3
AKWMC
4
Katras Choitudih
5
Gaslitand
TOTAL :
AREA AFFECTED BY FIRE

Minable Reserve
67.700
64.384
16.310
80.730
40.987

Lease hold Area in Hectare

177.49
254.64
325.10
228.00
138.66
1123.89

Sl No
Name of Colliery
Area in Sq. Metre
1
Gaslitand Colliery
180000
2
Katras Choitudih
280000
3
AKWMC Chandore Patch
280000
TOTAL :
740000
FUTURE PRODUCTION PROGRAMME OF HIRED PATHCES OF KATRAS AREA
NAME OF PATCHES
CHANDORE PATCH -III
KUMARIJORE PATCH
KANTAPAHARI PHASE-II

COAL
3.89 MT
5.83 MT
8.58 MT

OB
11.64 MM3
14 MM3
54.20 MM3

STRIPPING RATIO
1:3.04
1:2.40
1:6.38

Lodna Area
In the past Lodna Area was having Joyrampur, Bagdigi, Lodna, North Tisra, South Tisra & Jeenagora
Colliery and one Coke Plant at Lodna. All were purely underground mines.
Jealgora and Bararee collieries were under Bhowra Area and subsequently merged in Lodna Area.
At Present Lodna Area comprises Five numbers of underground Mines, two departmental OCPs with
Shovel Dumper combination & one outsoursing open cast mine.
NT-ST OCP is having one Dragline.(6/45)

Degree of gassiness of Lodna, Bagdigi and Bararee is II whereas Joyrampur and North Tisra Colliery is of
Degree I Gassiness.
The means of access to all underground Mines is through vertical shaft in conjunction with some
inclines.
All the Underground Mines are Loader-less.
Location
Lodna area is situated at a distance of 15 K.M south of Dhanbad Railway station and about 5 K.M away
in North East direction from Bhaga Railway station.
Dhanbad Sindri Road passes along the western and southern side of Lodna area. Jharia Town is nearly 6
K.M away in South West direction.
North

Goalakdih & Kujama Colliery of Area IX.

South

Non Coal Bearing Zone.

East

- Non Coal Bearing Zone.

West

- Bhalgora and Tisco Collieries.

No of Collieries including hired HEMM patch

S.L.No Underground Mines

1
Lodna
2
Bagdigi
3
Joyrampur
4
North Tisra
5
Bararee
6
Jealgora(Closed dewatering from surface)
Coal reserve in Million Tone

Name of Unit
NT Colliery
ST Colliery
Jeenagora
Joyrampur
Bagdigi
Jealgora
Bararee
Lodna
Total

Geological
Coking
5042
30152
1.173
5.29
9.820
15.242
34.297
68.374
142.768

Reserve
Non Coking
127.247
42.569
153.24
103.448
135.763
48.796
24.647
111.307
747.027

Total
132.667
45.721
154.413
108.738
145.583
64.038
58.944
179.681
889.795

Open Cast Mines

Departmental
Hired
NT-ST
Jeenagora Patch-I
Jeenagora

Mineable Reserve
Coking
Non Coking
4.12
114.067
1.650
42.631
0.697
112.379
0.520
81.878
12.290
95.981
11.7968
48.798
7.047
24.647
8.276
98.219
46.368
618.6

Total
118.187
44.281
113.076
82.398
108.271
60.566
31.694
106.495
664.968

Details of Leasehold Area

Name of Unit
NT-ST OCP
Jeenagora OCP
North Tisra Colliery
Joyrampur Colliery
Bagdigi Colliery
Lodna Colliery
Bararee Colliery
Jealgora Colliery
Total
Area affected by fire and Subsidence etc.

Leasehold Area In Hectare

256.15
255.00
246.24
98.04
61.00
391.64
475.00
138.00
1921.07
889.0 Hect.

Means of Dealing fire.

A) Blanketing with mitt & Sand.
B) Water pool.
C) Nitrogen flushing

EJ Area
Reserve of prime coking coal in the country is very limited. In this respect Bhowra has been occupying a
pride place in the coal and industrial map of the country. It is one of the few areas in the country
which has entirely been producing prime coking coal vitally required for the steel and metallurgical
industries. The Area comprised six coal producing units. Mining in the underground collieries of the
Area dates back to about 100 years, geo-mining conditions vary from moderate to extreme. Extremities
particularly in the Area are so farfetched that they may be easily compared with the most difficult
mines not only of our country but of the world. It is one of the main reasons why good quality prime
coking coal still remains untapped in lower seams. Shallow deposits worked in earlier years prior to
Nationalization by primitive methods leading to large scale fire both surface and underground the
Patherdih colliery, Sudamdih Shaft Mine, Sudamdih Incline Mine and Bhowra group of mines making
mining condition extremely difficult. Problems of mining have been accentuated due to the presence of
innumerable faults and folds crisscrossing the area, leading the poor roof condition, steep gradient,
variation in thickness and gassiness of coal seams. For ensuring almost safety from the hazards in an all
times fight against nature.
Location:
Eastern Jharia Area located in the eastern part of Jharia coalfield and lies in between
Latitude
Latitude
Latitude

23 4130
23 4000
23 4000

Longitude
Longitude
Longitude

86 2400
86 3530
86 2200

Number of collieries including Hired HEMM Patches:

I.

Bhowra (North) Underground Mines:

XV/XIV seam Hired HEMM Patch

XV/XIVA seam Hired HEMM Patch
II.

Bhowra (South) Colliery:

3 Pit OCP Hired HEMM Patch

III.

Sudamdih Incline Mine

IV.

Sudamdih Shaft Mine

V.

Patherdih Colliery

VI.

Amlabad Project/Colliery

Reserve (in Million Tonnes):

Name of Unit
Bhowra(North)colliery
Bhowra(South)colliery
Sudamdih Incline Mine
Sudamdih Shaft Mine
Patherdih colliery
Amlabad Project/colliery
Total:

Grade
St.II - W-IV
St.I - W-IV
W-I W-IV
St.I W-IV
W-III- W-IV
St.I - W-III

Up to 300 meterDepth
61.064
186.846
3.050
9.772
57.215
45.940
366.887

300 to 600Meter depth

38.18
58.03

40.656
7.74

144.606

Total
99.2444
244.876
3.050
50.428
64.955
45.940
508.493

Details of lease hold area:

Name of Unit
Bhowra(North)colliery
Bhowra(South)colliery
Sudamdih Incline Mine
Sudamdih Shaft Mine
Patherdih colliery
Amlabad Project/colliery
Total
Area affected by fire and subsidence and its dealing:

Area in Hectare
207.00
571.58
81.66
248.39
315.19
386.95
1810.77

About 17.85 hectare of surface area affected by fire and subsidence. All the quarries and subsided
area affected by fire at Sudamdih and Patherdih has been filled up. Almost the area of
Bhowra(North)Colliery has also been filled up with quarry Overburdens.

Future planning:
- 7.0 million Hired HEMM Project projected.
- 14.0 million tone Underground Project proposed.
History of the AreaWestern Jharia Area (WJ Area) under BCCL came into being in 1997 after Moonidih
Project and a group of mines under erstwhile Mahuda Area were combined together to form this area as
a separate identity. Earlier Moonidih Project was treated as a separate area in itself. The backgrounds
of each individual mine under this area are also quite different from each other and so are the geomining, technical as well as infrastructure parameters. While Moonidih Project was conceived as a
NCDC mine way back in 1964, the mines under Mahuda group belonged to private ownership before
coal mines nationalization. Two number of mines under Mahuda group, namely, Bhatdih mine and
Murlidih20/21 pits mine belonged to Bengal Coal Company, whereas the ownership of Lohapatti mine
property belonged to several smaller companies which have been amalgamated to present day
Lohapatti mine only after nationalization.
Location:-Western Jharia area comprises of two separate coal blocks- Moonidih Coal Block and Mahuda
coal Block. While Moonidih coal block is situated in west-central Jharia Coal field, Mahuda coal basin is
situated on the western part of Jharia coal field and is represented by strata of Raniganj formation.
Location wise both the blocks are separated by a few kilometres and are accessible by DhanbadBokaro national highway (NH 32). The distance of Moonidih from Dhanbad Railway station is about 12
km by road, whereas the distance from the western end of Mahuda block to Bokaro steel city is also
approximately 10 km. In between Moonidih coal block and Mahuda coal block lie a barren zone
followed by Kapuria Coal block.
The following comprise the boundaries for Moonidih block as well as for Mahuda block:
Name
Block

of

the Coal

Moonidih
Mahuda

North
Loyabad Mine
Madhuban mine
Govindpur Area

&

Part

East
West
Bhagaband Mine & Kapuria
TISCO
Block
of
Jamunia
Kapuria Block
River

South
Damodar
River
Damodar
River

Western Jharia
Mines in the Area:-Western Jharia is predominantly an underground mining area, presently comprising
of four underground mines. There is as such no open cast project in the area, though a few small
patches of open cast workings with hired HEMM have been earmarked within the area with short term
perspective and one of these is being worked at present. Besides the above stated, a Pilot Project for
Coal Bed Methane (CBM) is in operation under the area. The CBM project is located in the southern part
of Moonidih Block where a number of coal seams have occurred at comparatively greater depth (More
than 1000m) and are still virgin. The following are the present status of existing mines and CBM Pilot
project in Western Jharia area:
Name of the Block &
Mine/Project
Brief Description & Present Status
Moonidih Coal Block
Moonidih Project
Moonidih Project is the only coal producing unit in Moonidih coal block. The
project was conceived in 1964 as a NCDC mine under Polish collaboration for

a rated capacity of 2.1 MTY. But due to difficult geo-mining conditions and
tough environmental parameters, the project was subsequently de-rated to
1.5 MTY and in 1988-89 the project achieved its pick production level of 1.2
Million ton.From the very inception the mine was designed for Longwall
mechanization and initially Longwall method with hand held supports was
implemented in the mine. Ultimately in 1978 the first ever Powered Support
Longwall (PSLW) technology in Indian context was deployed in this mine, thus
Moonidih Project becoming the pioneer of PSLW mining in our country.
Simultaneously with PSLW equipment for gate road development and panel
formation Road-header machines were also brought into operation in this
mine. Since then the mine is pursuing PSLW technology and has become the
centre for developing skill and aptitude for mechanized mining methods.
Moonidih is also distinct for its deep shafts of 545m and 560m in depth (one
of the deep-most coal mines in India), high capacity Kopae winders,
integrated coal washery and captive power plant. Horizon mining has made
accessibility to the multiple seams easy & efficient and development of locohorizons have made man & material transport comparatively comfortable
despite extreme extensiveness of the mine.
The coal evacuation from the mine is through a series of belt conveyors and
about 1800 T worth of bunkerage capacity inclusive of the main strata bunker
of 1200 T capacity have been built up underground. The coal from the mine
through strata bunker is loaded in hoisting skips (A pair of skips having 10T
capacity each), brought to surface and discharged through a belt conveyor to
adjoining Moonidih coal washery directly.
Environmental Parameters :- Moonidih mine is deep (present workings are
going on at depth range 450-650m from surface), actively gassy (Deg-III) with
high strata temperature and occasional encountering of hot strata water.
Added to these factors are the factors of high mechanization and long
heading drivages, which are constantly posing a challenge for efficient
ventilation and comfortable environmental parameters in the mine, specially
in terms of high temperature and very high relative humidity. The mine is
ventilated by a high capacity Main Mech. Ventilator; yet the challenge
sustains and more efficient methods are being considered for future, specially
considering future perspective of the mine.
Pilot Project for Coal Bed This is the second object within Moonidih block under UNDP/GEF/GoI with
Methane (CBM) recovery BCCL, CMPDIL and ONGC as implementing agencies. Its objective is to
and
commercial demonstrate the exploration, exploitation & commercial utilization of CBM
utilization
recovered from virgin gassy coal seams (1st phase) and from within sealed off
worked out areas (2nd phase). The pilot project is to exploit gas from 5(Five)
boreholes, each 1000-1150m in depth, and to generate 1(one) megawatt
power by using an expected methane emission of 2500 cu.m/ day. Presently 3
boreholes are drilled and two of these are producing gas for generation of 500
watt, which is being commercially used. The sites for other boreholes are
being
prepared.

Mahuda Coal Block

Murlidih 20/21 pits mine in pre-nationalized period belonged to M/S Bengal
Coal Company and was nationalized along with other coking coal mines in
1971-72. The mine is opened with a pair of inclines and a pair of vertical
shafts. Two seams, namely Mahuda Top seam & Mahuda Bottom seam have
occurred in the mine, out of which the property in Mahuda bottom seam is
alredy worked as much as possible. In the rest part of the property there is
presence of Jhama making it not viable to extract the seam any more.
Presently the workings are being done In Mahuda top seam. The method of
mining is B&P with SDL and the coal evacuation with a combination of haulage
system within the working districts and belt conveyors as trunk circuit upto
the surface.There are 5 SDL machines on roll in the mine. The mine was
operating with one depillaring district (With 2 SDLs) and one SDL development
district(with 3 SDLs) in 2009-10, when on 6.10.09 a fire broke out in the belt
incline of the mine, which was also an intake for the mine ventilating air. This
prompted the mine to stop all operations for sealing off the fire area by
making fire stoppings at both ends of the inclines. During the period of
stoppage of mining operations, huge part of the mine was drowned by
incoming water through FISSURE ZONE. After effectively sealing off the
fire, HT pumping in multiple stages were resumed and after dewatering, the
mine is at present all set to resume production from mid of July,2010. Since
the earlier coal evacuation system through incline is discontinued due to
sealing off of the fire area, a new coal evacuation system through No.20 pit
to surface and a new coal handling arrangement on surface with a
combination of tippler, bunker, feeder belt and discharge arrangement on
Murlidih 20/21 pits Mine tippers for transport to Mahuda coal washery has been established.
Lohapatti mine is an amalgamation of several smaller collieries belonging to
different owners in pre-nationalized period. The mine property is
characterized by a number of thin seams with comparatively steep gradient
which compelled to continue manual loading mining, despite of tremendous
human drudgery, especially loaders, till recent past due to indecision on any
suitable technology for any kind of mechanization in the mine. Only from
1st April, 2010 the mine has been switched over to loader-less by introducing
one set of low height SDL machine as an intermediary stage in Pathergoria B
seam, though this low height SDL is also a mismatch in relation to the very
low thickness of the seam. This has prompted to think of a more suitable
technology and Continuous Miner compatible for thin seam and comparatively
steep gradient condition is being considered for the mine. The mine is
producing Non-coking Long flame Grade B & Grade C coal and thus the only
Lohaqpatti Mine
non-coking coal producing mine in the area.
Bhatdih Mine
Bhatdih coal mine is at present a non-producing mine since fire damp
explosion in the mine on 6.9.2006, killing 50 persons.The mine, also a Bengal
coal company mine during the pre-nationalization period is characterized by
steep seam gradient. Till Sept,2006 Mahuda top seam (Gelogical-III seam;
Gradient 1 in 3.4) was being worked by Inclines 14 & 15, whereas Mahuda

Bottom seam (Geological- 0 seam with gradient 1 in 3.0 ) was being worked
by another pair of inclines- namely inclines No. 17 & 18. The method of
mining was B&P depillaring with stowing.
The seams in the mine are categorized as of degree-III gassiness. On 6.9.2006
in 2nd shift the fire damp explosion occurred in the mine in Mahuda Bottom
seam in Incline No.17. Since then all the mining operations in Inclines 17 & 18
are stopped and in inclines 14 & 15 also (in Mahuda top seam) only pumping
operations are in process. The balance property of Mahuda top seam within
Bhatdih colliery leasehold was annexed to adjoining Murlidih 20/21 pit mine
for its exploitation from that mine. But after the incidence of fire in Murlidih
20/21 pits mine, it has again been returned to Bhatdih colliery with the
program to go for prior degasification of the seam before exploring the
possibility to exploit the same from Bhatdih side itself by any suitable mining
technology.
Murlidih open cast patch with hired HEMM is being worked for extraction of
balance coal left in the outcrop region of Mahuda top seam within the
property of old Murlidih coal mine. The average stripping ratio in the property
Murlidih Open Cast Patch is 1 in 7 with a total extractable reserve of 1.44 Lakh ton of coal. The coal is
by Hired HEMM
of W-II grade and is being despatched to Mahuda coal washery.
Mine-wise-Seam-wise Coal Reserve:Name
of Seam
the Mine Nomenclature

i)XVIII

Geological
Extractable
Reserve(Mln.T) Reserve(Mln.T) Present Status of the Seam
Major part blocked within multiple
faults.
Sizable
area
contains
13.40
Jhama.Worked
&
exhausted
seam
Non-workable due to thin seam
13.26

ii)XVII (Top) seam

18.90
iii)XVII(Bottom)
seam
21.30 +

2.04
0.267

Minor part workable. Dip side thinned.

iv)XVI(Top)
&
XVI(Comb) seams 22.10
v)XVI(Bottom)
seam

3.60

vi)XV(Top) seam 48.20

Major part exhausted in XVI(T); Jhama

& stone intrusion in XVI.

Nearly Virgin. Dev. Work started.

4.407
Totally virgin
2.02

Totally

virgin

vii) XV(Bot) seam 58.70

22.48
Moonidih viii) XV seam
9.00
Project
Murlidih
i)Mahuda
(Top) 3.20
20/21 Pits seam
mine

2.20

Working seam. About 30% of reserve

within sealed off area due to
fire.Exhausted. No further work.

ii)Mahuda
(Bottom) seam

0.60

0.30

3.30

1.65

ii)Pathargoria
A
seam 3.30

2.69

i)Lohapatti
Middle
seam

iii)Pathargoria
B
seam 1.80

0.95

Presently Low height SDL operating in

this
seam.

iv)Lohapatti
Bottom seam

1.63

1.03

Practically virgin
Maheshpur dyke

v) Bhurungia Top
seam
2.60

1.06

vi)Mahuda
seam

Lohapatti
mine

in

west

side

of

Non-workable

top
3.10

vii)Mahuda
Middle seam
i)Mahuda
seam

Bhatdih
mine

Partially
extracted.
The
balance
property is to be takenfrom both sides
of Maheshpur dyke.Partially extracted.
The balance property is to be taken
from east side of Maheshpur dyke.

Virgin.

Located

at

greater

depth.

Virgin.

Located

at

greater

depth.

2.54

3.20

3.03

5.47

3.45

Top

ii)Mahuda Bottom
seam
4.72

2.98

Presently non-working since fire damp

explosion in the mine. Actively gassy.
Programmed for prior degasification.Do-

Details of Leasehold Area:Following is the details of leasehold areas of the mines- working, non-working as well as abandoned
within WJ area:Leasehold
Name of the Mine
(Hac)
Moonidih Project
Murlidih 20/21 pits
mine
446.62
Murlidih mine

315.62

Area
Status of the mine
Working mine
Working mine
UG working completed. Outsourcing opencast with hired HEMM
in outcrop zone.

Lohapatti mine
Bhatdih mine
Hantudih mine
Muchraidih mine
East Muchraidih
Bhurungia Project
Podugoda

1620.92
749.67
193.61
83.21
170.00

Working mine
Stopped till firedamp explosion on 6.9.06.
Abandoned since 1993.
Abandoned since 1943-44
Abandoned since 1943-44
Stopped till 1994 due to drowning
Abandoned since 1932

Recently initiative has been taken to redefine the surface leasehold and boundaries of all the mines
under WJ area for proper administrative control over the total leasehold area. Several patches for open
cast works with hired HEMM are being planned within the leaseholds of working and abandoned mines.
There is also an initiative to extend the leasehold of Lohapatti mine by about 323 acres by including
parts of Kalyanpur, Simatand and Telmuchu mouzas for providing adequate reserve of coal (additional
1.05
million
ton)
for
proposed
Continuous
Miner
Technology
in
the
mine.

Area Affected by fire & subsidence & its dealingThe following are the mine-wise status of fire and subsidence within the area:
Moonidih MineFire- There is only one incidence of heating in the mine in the year 1993 when spontaneous
heating occurred in one of the powered support Longwall panels (F-1 panel in XVI seam). The work in
the panel was at the verge of completion when on 21.8.93 heating was detected in the goaf. The
heating was controlled by restricted ventilation and Nitrogen flushing inside the goaf and after
successful withdrawal of the total powered support Longwall equipment from the panel, the panel was
effectively sealed off with EP stoppings. The date of final sealing was 27.10.93.
Subsidence- Despite of multiple seam mining at Moonidih mine there are certain typical
geological features , which are largely responsible for minimum affect of subsidence on the surface
land. These typical features as well as the means to deal with effects of subsidence, wherever it has
occurred or means adopted to curb the possibilities of any subsidence are enumerated below:
a) Comparatively deep deposits and medium range thickness of the seams resulted in comparatively
higher ratio of extraction thickness vs. depth of hard cover (Less chance of subsidence effect on
surface).
b) In many parts within Moonidih leasehold only one seam has been worked as other seams, though
present, are not workable either due to huge pyrelitization or other types of geological inconsistencies.
c) However there are areas where effects of subsidence were observed. In some places the effect
was manifested in form of minor cracks, which were dealt by manual filling. Yet in some other areas,
specially where multiple seam working was commenced, substantial subsidence measuring upto 1.5m in
depth on surface land was recorded. This prompted to shift certain structures belonging to BCCL in
safer locations and providing compensations in case of certain cultivating land belonging to private
ownership.

d) In the context of above experience in some places, where permanent structures, either belonging
to BCCL or private ownership are existing or the surface rights do not belong to BCCL, limited span
working method was adopted during extraction of lower seam/seams, where the upper seam was
earlier extracted without any manifestation of surface subsidence.
e) With future projection of workings in XV(Top) & XV(Bot) seams in the mine, which are practically
virgin at this point of time, there is likelihood of substantial effect on surface land due to subsidence.
However, it requires a comprehensive scientific study to determine its dimensions and measures to deal
with
that
situation.

Murlidih

20/21

pits

mine-

Fire- There is no earlier record of mine fire in the mine except the recent one that occurred on 6.10.09
in Podugoda section of the mine. The brief description of the same is already given above while
briefing about the mine. But one important point that requires emphasis is that within 48 hours of
outbreak of fire there was observed presence of inflammable gas being generated within fire area, in
all probability as a distillation product. As a precautionary measure all UG works related to sealing off
of the fire was suspended till the generation of inflammable gas was brought under control by Nitrogen
flushing in conjunction with foam generating agents.
The

fire

area

was

effectively

sealed

off on

24.10.09

and

till

date

it

is

sealed

off.

Subsidence- Extent of workings in Murlidih 20/21 pits mine ranges from very shallow depth (out-crop of
Mahuda top seam) to substantial depths in the dip side of the property. This has resulted in widespread subsidence in the shallow part of the deposits. The phenomenon of surface subsidence further
aggravated due to working in two seams namely, Mahuda (Top) & Mahuda (Bot) seams, requiring regular
surface dozing, manual filling and maintenance of surface drainage system. In the deeper side of the
property on the basis of scientific studies conducted by CMRI (Presently CIMFR) limited span method
was adopted for development and subsequent extraction (Depillaring) of narrow panels to avoid
surface
subsidence.

Lohapatti Mine:Fire- There is no record of mine fire in Lohapatti mine.

Subsidence- As per record surface cracks were observed during extraction of some of the panels in
Kandra section while working in Lohapatti middle seam. The same were manually filled up with mutti
and by surface dozing. Later on during workings in Pathergoria A seam and Pathergoria B seam, which
are thin seams, development of pillars have been mainly done and a large part of the property is
standing on pillars. Therefore, subsidence till date posed no major problem. However, with the future
plan to depillar the developed panels, subsidence dealing will be a major concern for the mine.
Bhatdih Mine:-

Fire- There are records of three occurrences of fire in the mine, though by nature the fires are of
different origin.
i)
The first occurrence of fire in Old Bhatdih unit refers to 1938, when a fire broke out in a
depillaring district with caving method in Mahuda top seam, killing 4 persons. The fire was sealed off.
ii)
The second occurrence happened in 1969, when in Nagda section there was the phenomenon
of burning of inflammable gas in a localized manner claiming one life.
iii)
The third occurrence took place in 1979, when heating was detected in one working panel
under extraction by caving method in Mahuda top seam in Nagda section. Later on in 1984-85 the
panel was reopened and coal was extracted by using stowing method.
Subsidence-

There

is

no

major

record

of

subsidence

in

Bhatdih

mine.

Spec

Future Planning:Name of the

mine
Future Planning
i) Implementation of the contract already made between BCCL and M/S ZMJ, China for
minimum guaranteed production level of 0.7 MTY coal from XVI(Top) seam on risk and gain
sharing basis with 2X650 T capacity powered support LW equipment.ii) Introduction of
Powered support Longwall technology at virgin XV seam in the mine for 1.5-2.0 MTY
production level for which EoI from domestic and global bidders have been invited.
iii)Installation and commissioning of Centralized Air-conditioning plant for chilling of
ventilating air, entering in to the mine for improvement of underground environmental
conditions right up to distant most working districts for which proposal for calling EoI from
domestic and global bidders has been moved.
iv)Installation and commissioning of Man-riding system in the mine, for which CMPDI study
has already been conducted and proposal has been moved.

Moonidih
Mine

v)Studies are being conducted to enhance mine evacuation capacity to deal with higher
production level to the tune of 2.0 MTY and above.

With the return back of annexed deep side property of Mahuda (top) seam to Bhatdih
colliery and rearrangement of mine evacuation layout as discussed above in the part
Murlidih
Brief description of the mines, the scope of the mine has become very limited. It has
20/21
Pits been decided to extract the existing property within the alredy developed panels to be
Mine
extracted gradually in next few years period.
Introduction of Continuous Miner technology in Thin seam & steep gradient condition,
for which approval by BCCL board has already been provided. Drilling of exploratory
Lohapatti
boreholes for proving the reserve of coal required for calling global bid for CM technology
Mine
has been initiated.
Bhatdih
Drilling of boreholes for Prior degasification of active gassy seams of Bhatdih by CBM
Mine
method and utilization of the produced inflammable gas is under process with the idea
that in future the property of Bhatdih mine will be worked by suitable underground mining

method by reopening the mine either by using the existing mine entries or by opening
additional means of access and egress.