Suparjya Swain 
BHUBANESWAR: NLC India Ltd. (NLCIL) is set to begin operations at the Machhakata coal block in Odisha ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy. The Machhakata block, recently secured through a commercial coal block e-auction, stands as the largest among NLCIL’s mining ventures.
The Machhakata coal block, located in Angul district of Odisha, boasts impressive reserves of 1.4 billion tonnes and is classified with an average Grade of G10-G11. With a planned capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), it is expected to rank among the top five largest coal mines in India.
NLCIL, which emerged as the successful bidder for the revised Machhakata coal block in the auction held in July, has announced its intention to commence mining operations ahead of the originally planned schedule. This ambitious move aligns with the company’s broader objectives under its Corporate Plan 2030.
The vesting order for the Machhakata coal block was issued on Thursday, further advancing NLCIL’s strategic goals. The company is focused on expanding its production capacity to over 100 MTPA by 2030, a significant increase from its current output of 50 MTPA.
NLC India Ltd.’s core operations include both mining and power generation. The company’s commitment to scaling up its operations is evident from its recent initiatives and strategic plans.
In related developments, the coal ministry has executed Coal Mining Development and Production Agreements for three recently auctioned coal mines. The agreements were signed for the Machhakata (Revised) coal mine, Kudanali Lubri coal mine, and Sakhigopal-B Kakurhi coal mine. The successful bidders for these projects include NLC India Ltd., Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, respectively.
