Rajhara Colliery in Daltonganj Set to Restart Production After Long Shutdown
The Rajhara open-cast colliery in Daltonganj will restart production this Saturday. This marks a significant revival for the historic coal mine. Central Coalfields Limited operates the colliery.
Minister to Inaugurate Restart Ceremony
Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will inaugurate the restart. Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram confirmed this news to the media on Friday. He expressed optimism about the colliery's future.
Historical Background of the Colliery
The Rajhara colliery has a rich history. It started underground mining operations way back in 1842. The colliery existed even before India gained independence. It abandoned underground mining in 1991. Open-cast mining began at that time.
However, the colliery faced a major setback in 2010. Floodwaters inundated the site. The shovel got completely submerged. This raised serious safety concerns. Authorities had to shut down operations completely.
Regulatory Challenges and Restrictions
The Director General of Mines Safety invoked the Mines Act 1952 to cease operations. In 2015, the DGMS allowed partial mining with strict conditions. No mining could occur during the monsoon season from June 15 to October 31 each year.
Now the colliery will operate normally starting January 17. Authorities have issued a caution about water entry. They must prevent any water from entering the mining area.
Coal Reserves and Production Capacity
The Rajhara colliery holds substantial coal reserves. It has a stock of 4.9 million tonnes of high-grade G9 coal. This is a non-coking thermal coal variety. The colliery can produce 0.30 million tonnes of coal annually.
Environmental and Operational Clearances
The colliery has environmental clearance valid until February 2037. However, its consent to operate expires in March 2026. MP Vishnu Dayal Ram confirmed that efforts are underway to renew this consent. The renewal process is currently in progress.
Employment Opportunities
The restart will create significant employment opportunities. Sources indicate that a few thousand people will get direct employment. Indirect employment numbers will be much higher. This will boost the local economy in Daltonganj and surrounding areas.
The revival of this historic colliery represents an important development for the region's mining sector. It combines historical significance with modern safety protocols and employment generation.
