Tata Steel’s Jharia division commissioned two new facilities on Thursday including a 2 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) capacity Coal Preparation Plant and 400 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system for its Main Mechanical Ventilator at Jamadoba Colliery.

The twin facilities were inaugurated on Thursday at Jharia by D.B. Sundararamam, Vice President (Raw Materials), Tata Steel in the presence of Mr Sanjay Rajoria, General Manager, Jharia Division, Tata Steel.

The facilities are in line with its mechanisation and modernisation programme.

“Introduction of appropriate technology is key to the success of underground mining. At Tata Steel, we leverage our innovation capabilities, technology leadership with focus on safety and sustainability to create long-term value. State-of-the-art beneficiation plant not only addresses issues like productivity, safety and environment but at the same time ensures production of coal at a competitive price,” Sundararamam said.

“Built from cutting-edge technology, the 2 MTPA Coal Preparation Plant has been transformed from the oldest running washery in Asia (in operation since 1952) to one of the most modern washeries across the globe,” reads a press release sent by Tata Steel this afternoon.

The washery (also known as Coal Preparation Plant) is a major upgradation from conventional set-up that packs Dense Media Cyclone circuit for coarse, intermediate circuit for reflux classifier and flotation for fines circuit to improve production efficiency.

This is also the first washery in the country with a 100% dewatering facility built within the plant, thereby completely eliminating the need for a tailing pond, auto sprinklers and dry fog systems.

The giant UPS installed today, meanwhile provides uninterrupted power supply to the 450 horsepower mine fan and automatically changes over during power failure from DVC and keeps it running for 40 minutes, giving enough time for power restoration or change-over to captive supply.

The battery back-up UPS is the first of its kind in the country for any mine ventilation fan”further claimed in the press release and added that the set up is expected to enhance the safety and ergonomics within the mines and will also provide a more comfortable environment for the miners to work.

Tata Steel’s Jharia Division has earlier introduced Chair Lift Man Riding System, Cooling plant, Low Capacity and Low Cost Continuous Miner with the haulage system as part of its modernization effort of underground mining in the country. This apart Jharia Division has taken several initiatives for automation and digitalization which helped in improving operational excellence.