The Kothagudem coal mining area of the State-run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) achieved yet another milestone when it reached the annual coal production target of 112.17 lakh tonnes on Monday, nearly 27 days ahead of the stipulated time-frame of March 31 in the 2018-19 fiscal.
Kothagudem, one among the total 11 coal mining areas of the premier coal producing company spread in six districts including Bhadradri-Kothagudem, achieved the distinguished feat during the first shift on Monday.
The maximum coal output came from Gowthamikhani opencast project (GKOCP), which is part of the Kothagudem area encompassing a total of four coal mines — two underground mines and two opencast projects, including the GKOCP, said SCCL sources.
Exceeding expectations
The Kothagudem area had produced 98.23 lakh tonnes against the fixed annual target of 96.50 lakh tonnes in the previous financial year (2017-18).
Sustaining the same tempo in the current financial year, the area has registered a growth of 28% in coal production and 26% in coal dispatches for the corresponding period last year.
Unique distinction
The Kothagudem area had recently earned the unique distinction as the first in SCCL to reach 10-million tonne production mark per annum.