Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) is a Government of India’s Miniratna Company and flagship subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) producing more than 100 million tonnes of coal from its 10 heavily mechanized open cast coal mine located in Singrauli (MP) and Sonbhadra (UP). Since its establishment in 1985 NCL has set new records and heights with a major contribution in nation building.

The NCL started its journey in the year 1985-86 with 11.62 million tonnes (MT) of coal production and has reached to 108.05 MT in 2019-20 with a growth of 900 per cent with a record. Starting from profit of ` 75 crore, NCL has earned a record ` 6985.45 crore in the financial year 2019-20. NCL contributes to 17 percent production with just 5% manpower of Coal India. Today, NCL’s coal produces about 10 percent of the country’s electricity. The credit for the company reaching new pinnacle goes to the sacrifices, dedication, hard work of NCL’s proud miners.

Production NCL has been entrusted with a responsibility of 113.2 MT of Production and dispatch in FY 2020- 21. During the pandemic time, even today NCL took big stride and splendid growth in overburden removal which is a material above the coal seam and is required to remove for coal exposure in opencast mines, an integral parameter for coal companies with open cast mines.

Environment-friendly activities

Realizing the responsibility towards the environment, NCL is committed towards environment-friendly mining and restoration of ecology, flora and fauna. Considering the status quo of the environment, NCL has planted more than 24 million plants since its inception year.

Atmanirbhar Bharat

Under “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Vocal for Local”, with offering in special spot e-auction process against import substitution, it is an estimate that NCL has saved about ` 136 crore foreign exchange. In order to make the country “Self-Reliant in Coal Sector”, Coal India has been given the target to produce 1 billion tonnes coal by the year 2023-24, out of which NCL is preparing itself for contribution of 130 million tonnes and has taken important steps in this direction.

NCL is planning to invest ` 7,000 crore by 2023-24 to strengthen its infrastructure, projects expansion, procurement and implementation of advanced machines and equipped mines with latest technology. In the current fiscal, NCL’s capex has crossed ` 650 crore till Q2. In First Mile Connectivity (FMC), NCL is going for construction of Coal Handling Plants with consolidated capacity of 33.5 million tonne staggered in its flagship Jayant, Dudhichua, Block B and Krishnashila Projects. Rail connectivity up to silo in Block B is also being done. In a new initiative, NCL is setting up a 50 MW solar power plant at a cost of ` 200 crore.

Contribution to curb the COVID-19

NCL has taken major steps to control and curb the pandemic Covid-19 with uninterrupted supply of coal. In all the coal mines and projects of NCL, regular sanitization, thermal scanning and strict Covid protocols are being followed. NCL has given an amount of ` 20 crore to Madhya Pradesh Government to fight and curb Covid. It has contributed ` 5 crore to Uttar Pradesh Government for purchase of 50 ambulances. NCL has distributed ration kits, masks, sanitizers, PPE Kits during the lockdown and later stage on mass scale. NCL also distributed more than 6 thousand food packets in ‘Shramik Special’ Trains. NCL has also providing state of art medical facilities to its employees and local community from Covid-19 and has equipped its medical facilities with advanced life support ambulances, ventilators, and essentials.

Welfare During the year 2020, NCL has undertaken massive development of its welfare amenities including workplaces, residential complex and others. NCL is organizing a 15-point programs – “Mine for Women” to make workplace women friendly. NCL has recently taken up a unique initiative called “Remedy Cell” through which retired employees and stakeholders of the company can directly communicate with the management for various issues and feedback for improvement in the company. The projects of NCL are equipped with gymnasiums, sports facilities, recreational club, beautiful parks, canteens, school, hospital and dispensaries and modern residential colonies.

NCL’s CSR activities With an objective of all-round development of society in and around us, NCL is continuously engaged in CSR activities covering wide canvas categorized in 7 fields. With a comprehensive responsibility of positive changes in living standards of surrounding society, in the year 2020-21, NCL has allocated budget of about `118.23 crore. Smart Classrooms, library with digital infra in 75 schools, ‘Project Fulwari’ to nurture tiny tots, installation of sanitary pad vending machines in schools, training of rural youths with handloom and power loom to promoting Khadi and employment creation are some of the work being undertaken this year. NCL is also imparting employable industrial training to 480 local youths in different trades.

Awards for outstanding contribution On the occasion of 46th Foundation Day of Coal India Limited, NCL has been conferred with Best Corporate Performance Award for outstanding performance in categories such as production, dispatch and Overburden Removal in the virtual presence of Hon’ble Minister of Coal Shri Pralhad Joshi. NCL has also been recognized with Three PSE Excellence awards. CMD NCL Shri P.K. Sinha was also conferred with Covid-Warrior award for his outstanding contribution as leader in fight against Covid-19.