With no sign of the Telangana agitation coming to an end, Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) has started fearing about safety in its underground (UG) mines. About 65,000-odd miners are supporting the Telangana agitation seeking a separate statehood. SCCL feels that idling of mines is a dangerous issue and may pose threats to miners in future. SCCL has 50 mining projects, which include 14 open cast mines and 36 under ground ones.
Speaking to FE, S Narsing Rao, CMD, SCCL, said it was dangerous to keep underground mines closed for a long time. ?There can be a serious impact due to accumulation of poisonous gases including inert gases such as carbon monoxide inside the mines,?? he said adding that if stopped, it could lead to self-heating of coal inside. “We have already identified few sections in two UG mines, due to spontaneous heating,?? he said.
?A closure of mines for a week itself is a threat, but now the mines have been closed since 31 days. Since talks with the striking employees have not yielded any results thus far, miners? safety have become a prime concern,?? he said. Besides, the roof behaviour has to be understood and the technical team is trying to work out a solution. To recall, in the late 80s, an UG was completely abandoned because of a similar issue.
Mining activities of SCCL are presently spread over four districts of Andhra Pradesh including Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal. SCCL is a pioneer in mechanisation of the coal mining process.
Rao said that there has been continuous discussions with the striking workers for resuming work. SCCL has lost close to 3 mt of the targeted 53 mt for this fiscal. During the first half, the total production from SCCL has been 21.64 mt as against a target of 24.56 mt. SCCL?s primary customers include NTPC and APGenco and has suspended coal supply to its other secondary customers.
Another issue which the PSU is facing is the pending wage revision for its employees, due from the month of July. Its current wage bill is worth R2,650 crore and the revision takes place every five years. On an average, wage revision is to the tune of 24%, he said. In lieu of this, SCCL may increase the coal prices as it has reported a loss of over R600 crore. A decision on the hike may come only after the present row is solved, Rao added.