Coal India Limited (CIL), at the advise of Ministry of Coal has floated an Expression of Interest in February 2013 for engaging International Consultants for suggesting modernisation and technological improvement in their mines including both underground and opencast mines. The broad objectives to be covered under the proposed study include assessment of the status of existing technology for safety, production and productivity in the underground and opencast mines of various coal fields of CIL; to assess the gaps in technology upgradation; to assess the requirements of technology and infrastructure development for mine planning and design and construction with regard to the projected coal production during XII, XIII and XV Five Year Plans; to assess the indigenous capabilities in meeting the technology upgradation requirements vis-à-vis import dependence; to assess the systems development for meeting the projected technology upgradation; to assess the application of information technology and automation in technology development; and to prepare a roadmap for technology upgradation during the above said Plan periods.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Shri Pratik PrakashBapu Patil in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.