Rajahmundry: Somavaram coal useful for industries

Rajahmundry: The Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited has found the quality of coal at the Somavaram west block of Chinthalapudi in West Godavari to have high calorific value.

It has been graded between ‘C’ and ‘D’ against the top-level ‘A’, meant for use in hydro-thermal power projects and for other industries based on preliminary findings. The MECL has been exploring coal in the Somavaram west and east blocks and at Chinthalapudi in WG.

Officials said that based on moisture, ash and other contents in the coal, a final test will be conducted and based on it the calorific value of the coal will be established.

The MECL is also carrying exploration for coal at Somavaram East Block and also at Chinthalapudi. The depth of the drilling of wells at Somavaram West and East Blocks is about 300 metres while at Chinthalapudi, it ranges from 12,000 metres to 18,000 metres.

It has outsourced exploration activity to three firms identified as Gurgaon-based South West Pinnacle, Kolkata-based Maheswari Mineral Industries and Kartikay Exploration and Mining Services Private Limited.

MECL senior geologist K.M. Ram Pramod said, “As the exploration of coal at Somavaram West Block is nearing completion, we will be sending samples to our head office for analysis on quality of coal in about two to three months and based on it, mine mapping will be done and extraction of coal will be taken up to be used for commercial purpose.”