Block-B Expansion OCP project to boost road coal transport to 2 MTPA

The project involves coal mining with a production capacity of 10 MTPA within a lease area of 1500.688 hectares.

Who it concerns: The project proponent is M/s. Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL). The clearance is being processed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), IA Division.

Conditions and facts

• Clearance Status: Amendment in Environmental Clearance (EC) sought for the EC dated 14/05/2025.
• Project Capacity: 10 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).
• Lease Area: 1500.688 hectares.
• Location: Villages Audhiya and PO Gorbi, Tehsil Chitrangi, District Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.
• Condition Amendment 1 (Coal Handling Plant): Completion deadline extended from March 2026 to March 2027 due to contractor failure.
• Condition Amendment 2 (Transport Mode): Change in coal dispatch mode from 9 MTPA via Rail/1 MTPA via Road to 8 MTPA via Rail/2 MTPA via Road.
• Condition Amendment 3 (Renewable Energy): Requirement to install solar power generation units and submit compliance status, replacing the previous emphasis on using renewable energy instead of grid/thermal power.
• Condition Amendment 4 (Star Rating): Request to amend the mandatory 5-Star Rating condition from the Ministry of Coal guidelines, citing operational variables.

Also in the document

• The project is a 'basket mine' with no direct linkage to a single thermal power plant, serving various industries and power plants.
• The amendment seeks to increase road transport of coal from 1 MTPA to 2 MTPA, citing that many small-scale consumers (including Hindalco Industries) lack rail connectivity or find road transport more economical for short distances.
• The document notes that nearly 2,000 local residents depend on road transportation for their livelihoods.