The Gevra mine, a subsidiary of Coal India located in Chhattisgarh, is poised to claim the title of the largest coal mine in Asia. This comes as it has received environmental clearance to boost its production capacity from 52.5 million tons to 70 million tons per annum, as announced by the Coal Ministry.

The clearance for the expansion of Gevra was expedited by both the Coal Ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Gevra stands as a significant megaproject of South Eastern Coalfields Limited, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the energy security of the nation.

"Under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, a historic milestone has been achieved by the Coal India team on Tuesday. We have a vision for Gevra to become the largest coal mine in the world with state-of-art mining operations and this is a significant milestone towards that journey", said Prem Sagar Misha, CMD, SECL. Last year, Gevra claimed the title of the largest coal mine in the country, achieving an annual production of 52.5 million tons for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

The mine spans approximately 10 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in breadth. It incorporates environmentally friendly mining technologies such as Surface Miner and Ripper Mining. Additionally, it utilizes high-capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) including a 42 Cum shovel and a 240-ton dumper for overburden removal. Furthermore, the mine boasts a first-mile connectivity system featuring conveyer belts, Silos, and a Rapid Loading System, facilitating efficient and eco-friendly coal evacuation.

Source : IANS