Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Tangedco has been given permission by the Union Ministry of Coal to investigate coal blocks in the Sakhigopal B Kakurhi mines in Odisha. Since there will be prior work to be done, such as surveys, clearances from relevant ministries, land acquisition, and overburden removal, it is expected that coal mining from the mines will take at least five years.
A senior official from Tangedco told TNIE, “We have completed all the legal processes in this aspect. After providing a bank guarantee worth Rs 2 crore to the coal ministry, we will commence exploration related tasks in a couple of weeks. Coal exploration involves collecting and analysing geological data to determine the structure, quality, and other parameters of coal deposits. Land acquisition in the vicinity, if necessary, is also crucial. Tangedco will have to initiate the process with the support of the Odisha government. Besides, it is mandatory to get the necessary permissions from the directorate general of mines safety and the ministry of environment, forestry, and climate change before we can start working”.
“Coal can be extracted only after removing overburden (layers of soil, stones, etc.) which involves heavy costs. Tangedco has to invest in all these aspects considering the upcoming coal-based power thermal plants in Tamil Nadu,” another official said.
Scattered across 1,950 hectares, the Sakhigopal B Kakurhi mines contain 421 tonnes of G7 and G9 grade coal, with a calorific value ranging from 4,500 to 5,200. After the Chandrabila coal block in Odisha, which was allotted to Tangedco in 2016 and has a reserve capacity of 896 million tonnes, this will be the company’s second mine. But for a variety of reasons, coal was never extracted—not even after eight years.
