Coal mining in India has a long history of commercial exploitation covering nearly 220 years starting in 1774 Suetonius Grant Heatly of the East India Company in the Raniganj Coalfield along the Western bank of river Damodar. However, for about a century the growth of Indian coal mining remained sluggish for want of demand but the introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 gave a fillip to it. Within a short span, production rose to an annual average of 1 million tonne (mt) and India could produce 6.12 mts. per year by 1900 and 18 mts per year by 1920. The production got a sudden boost from the First World War but went through a slump in the early thirties. The production reached a level of 29 mts. by 1942 and 30 mts. by 1946.

with John Sumner and

With the advent of Independence, the country embarked upon the 5-year development plans. At the beginning of the 1st Plan, annual production went up to 33 mts. During the 1st Plan period itself, the need for increasing coal production efficiently by systematic and scientific development of the coal industry was being felt. Setting up of the National Coal Development Corporation (NCDC), a Government of India Undertaking in 1956 with the collieries owned by the railways as its nucleus was the first major step towards planned development of Indian Coal Industry. Along with the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) which was already in operation since 1945 and which became a Government company under the control of Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, India thus had two Government coal companies in the fifties. SCCL is now a joint undertaking of Government of Andhra Pradesh and Government of India sharing its equity in 51:49 ratio.

MINE SURVEYING..                                                                        Mine surveying is a branch of mining science and technology. It includes all measurements, calculations and mapping which serve the purpose of ascertaining and documenting information at all stages from prospecting to exploitation and utilizing mineral deposits both by surface and underground working.

The following are the principal activities of Mine surveying:

• The interpretation of the geology of mineral deposits in relation to the economic exploitation thereof
• The investigation and negotiation of mineral mining rights
• Making and recording, and calculations of mine surveying measurements
• Mining cartography
• Investigation and prediction of effects of mine working on the surface and underground strata
• Mine planning in the context of local environment and subsequent rehabilitation

The activities involve:

• The location, structure, configuration, dimensions and characteristics of the mineral deposits and of the adjoining rocks and overlying strata. The assessment of mineral resreves and the economics of their exploitation
• The acquisitation, sale, lease and management of mineral properties
• Providing the basis of the planning, direction and control of mine workings to ensure economical and safe mining operations
• The study of rock and ground movements caused by mining operations, their prediction, and the precautions and remedial treatment of subsidence damage
• Assisting in planning and rehabilitation of land affected by mineral operations and collaborating with local government planning authorities