O.P Singh
Chairman & Managing Director
You possess over 32 years of experience in the fields of mine planning, production, management, supervision, direction and control of underground as well as open cast coal mines. After three decades, what motivates you today?
I have been fortunate to have worked, under and along, with some of the most impeccable leaders of the industry. We as a team are one of the major contributors to the National Coal Demand. We are ensuring the energy security of the nation i.e about 20 percent of the nation coal demand. We cater to the energy demand of the nation along with economic and infrastructural development upliftment of the downtrodden societies in coalfield areas. We are taking up various CSR and social welfare activities and the expenditure on this account is about Rs.200 crore every year has always been a major driving force of motiva
tion. These activities of holistic uplift ment of society have always quenched my inner solace. The teamwork in our company is stupendous and we have a highly motivated workforce which has always exceeded the expectations desired of them. Working with such a great team keeps me wanting to better each day.
Define Mahanadi Coalfields as an organization. What makes the company unique?
Mahanadi Coalfields is a Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking of Govt. of India. It is the 8th Subsidiary of the eight subsidiaries of the Maharatna Company Company Coal India (CIL) and one of the major coal producing companies of India. The company is operating in four districts in the state of Odisha, mine operations are in Talcher Coalfield, which is located in Angul district, Ib-Valley Coalfield, which is located in Jharsuguda district and Basundhara field which is located in Sundargarh district and corporate HQ is located at Sambalpur district. There are 15 Open cast Mines and three Underground Mines in MCL. There are 11 Areas, two Central Workshops and two Central Hospitals, two Central Stores in Talcher and Ib-Valley coalfields apart from these, 11 schools and more than 10 dispensaries and hospitals within its command area. Manpower is to the tune of 22,000 and contractual employees are to the tune of 20,000.
As a leader, what is the change in the industry that you endeavour to bring in? In that regard, how do you lead by example?
Coal is mainly used as a fuel in the power plants for electricity generation and about 75 percent electricity is generated through coal power plants. Other sources of electricity generation like hydro, nuclear, solar, wind, biomass, and others are gradually increasing but due to reliability and 24 x 7 requirement their role is limited and coal is playing the backbone of electricity generation in India. Coal as a 'hydrocarbon' has immense potential and it has the highest
We cater to the energy demand of the nation along with economic and infrastructural development upliftment of the downtrodden societies in coalfield areas
Define Mahanadi Coalfields as an organization. What makes the company unique?
Mahanadi Coalfields is a Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking of Govt. of India. It is the 8th Subsidiary of the eight subsidiaries of the Maharatna Company Company Coal India (CIL) and one of the major coal producing companies of India. The company is operating in four districts in the state of Odisha, mine operations are in Talcher Coalfield, which is located in Angul district, Ib-Valley Coalfield, which is located in Jharsuguda district and Basundhara field which is located in Sundargarh district and corporate HQ is located at Sambalpur district. There are 15 Open cast Mines and three Underground Mines in MCL. There are 11 Areas, two Central Workshops and two Central Hospitals, two Central Stores in Talcher and Ib-Valley coalfields apart from these, 11 schools and more than 10 dispensaries and hospitals within its command area. Manpower is to the tune of 22,000 and contractual employees are to the tune of 20,000.
As a leader, what is the change in the industry that you endeavour to bring in? In that regard, how do you lead by example?
Coal is mainly used as a fuel in the power plants for electricity generation and about 75 percent electricity is generated through coal power plants. Other sources of electricity generation like hydro, nuclear, solar, wind, biomass, and others are gradually increasing but due to reliability and 24 x 7 requirement their role is limited and coal is playing the backbone of electricity generation in India. Coal as a 'hydrocarbon' has immense potential and it has the highest
content of carbon and is the kind of all hydrocarbon resources. But it is a matter of fact that its role is recognized as only the source of fuel. The other uses like coal to gas, coal to liquid fuel like methanol, diesel, petrol, kerosene, and others, coal to other highend petro chemicals like polythene, high end plastic used in vehicles,airplanes, refrigerators, thermos flask, and others are negligible in our country.Also, clean coal technology for generation of electricity through gasification, use of coal in DRI plants (direct reduction to iron) are the future of coal utilization in India. Thus, there is a need for a massive shift in the utilization of coal.
Also, eco-friendly & sustainable mining needs further thrust. MCL has already taken steps in these aspects. Coal to Gas, setting up of 10MTY capacity washery, FMC projects with RLS, Blast less OB removal, Extensive use of Surface Miners are, but a
What is the roadmap that is planned for the company?
As per the 1 BT target of CIL in the coming 3-4 years, the share of MCL is going to be around 30 percent i.e nearly 290 MT of coal shall be produced by MCL in the next 3-4 years. To achieve this aspirational target there are various contributing factors like, physical possession of land by shifting of villages, Environmental and Forestry Clearances, building up of matching Evacuation Infrastructures, FMC projects with RLS, and others. MCL plans to become a Zero energy company within the next 2-3 years. We are in the process of entering into the Aluminium business as well.
O.P.Singh, CMD, Mahanadi Coalfields
A Graduate Mining Engineer with Master in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing Management. He has also acquired PostGraduate Diploma in Computer Application and Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management. O.P. Singh has a total experience of working in Industry is about 33 years including working for about nine years in CMPDIL (Central Mine Planning Design Institute Limited). He also has a vast experience of working at the Senior Level of Management in various capacities in the field and in the corporate offices.
Also, eco-friendly & sustainable mining needs further thrust. MCL has already taken steps in these aspects. Coal to Gas, setting up of 10MTY capacity washery, FMC projects with RLS, Blast less OB removal, Extensive use of Surface Miners are, but a
What is the roadmap that is planned for the company?
As per the 1 BT target of CIL in the coming 3-4 years, the share of MCL is going to be around 30 percent i.e nearly 290 MT of coal shall be produced by MCL in the next 3-4 years. To achieve this aspirational target there are various contributing factors like, physical possession of land by shifting of villages, Environmental and Forestry Clearances, building up of matching Evacuation Infrastructures, FMC projects with RLS, and others. MCL plans to become a Zero energy company within the next 2-3 years. We are in the process of entering into the Aluminium business as well.
O.P.Singh, CMD, Mahanadi Coalfields
A Graduate Mining Engineer with Master in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing Management. He has also acquired PostGraduate Diploma in Computer Application and Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management. O.P. Singh has a total experience of working in Industry is about 33 years including working for about nine years in CMPDIL (Central Mine Planning Design Institute Limited). He also has a vast experience of working at the Senior Level of Management in various capacities in the field and in the corporate offices.