There is less of a risk to life or limb and extraction of coal is comparatively cheaper from an open cast mine. But summer is when miners like to work in the cool confines of an underground quarry.
In an open coal pit, the temperature stays a degree or two above the maximum recorded on the ground which makes life that much more difficult for the worker, eventually having an impact on coal production.
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) operates 16 open cast mines in Telangana, where high temperatures are making life miserable for all. It has therefore introduced several simple yet effective relief measures for workers involved in direct coal production.
The effect of such measures is visible at the Srirampur Open Cast Project (SRP OCP) in Adilabad district which is perhaps the most important of all open cast mines in the State. It will be dedicated to supplying coal to the prestigious 3x600 MW Singareni Thermal Power Plant.
The STPP is located about 10 km away from the SRP mines and coal will be carted directly to it when it goes critical in November this year. The two 600 MW power generation units will be fed about five million tonnes of coal per annum from these mines.
“Coal production has declined by about 30 per cent,” disclosed SRP OCP Project Manager M. Narender as he went through the register that records the day temperature. “Today it is 46 degree Celsius in the pit,” he declared, pointing out the degree of difficulty in coal extraction.
The shift timings for workers have been changed to keep them away from the torture unleashed by the heat. This nevertheless, has had a telling effect on coal production.
All the dumpers and shovels extracting coal are fitted with air conditioners and yet life is not easy for the workers. “We are giving them oral rehydration solution (ORS), two litres of cool drinking water for each person and butter milk to help ease their condition in the pit,” the SCCL official said recounting the relief measures.
There are makeshift rest shelters erected at select places for the benefit of workers who need to get their machines down. But, the shelters are used sparingly as no one prefers to get out of the vehicle cabin unless there is some compelling reason.
