SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER ON SCCL
- When was SCCL founded and where is its headquarters located?
Answer: The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) was founded on 23 December 1920.
- Headquarters: SCCL’s headquarters is located in Kothagudem, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana.
- Describe the significance of the name “Singareni.”
Answer: The name “Singareni” is derived from the village of Singareni in Khammam district, Telangana, where the coal mines were first discovered.
- How did SCCL come into existence? Provide a brief history.
Answer: In 1871, Dr. William King of the Geological Survey of India discovered coal near Yellandu in Khammam district.
- The Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited, incorporated in England, acquired mining rights in 1886 to exploit coal found in the Yellandu area.
- The present company, The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), was incorporated on 23 December 1920 under the Hyderabad Companies Act as a public limited company.
- It acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Hyderabad (Deccan) Co. Ltd.
- The controlling interest of the company devolved on the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1956 pursuant to the reorganization of states.
- Thus, SCCL became a Government Company under the Companies Act in 1956.
- In how many states SCCL is operating? Also, mention the name of the districts in which mines are situated.
Answer: Presently, SCCL is operating 48 Mines (Underground-29, Opencast-19) spread over 6 district of Telangana state viz. komaram bheem, Mancherial, peddapalli, Prof. Jayashankar-Bhupalpalli, Bhadadri – Kothagudem and Khammam.
- How many mines does SCCL currently operate ?
Answer: SCCL is currently operating 48 mines, including 19 opencast mines and 29 underground mines.
- What percentage of India’s domestic coal production does SCCL contribute?
Answer: SCCL contributes 9.2% to the all-India domestic coal production.
- Who is the current Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SCCL?
Answer: The current Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SCCL is Shri. N. Balram, IRS.
- Explain the process of coal extraction and the different methods used.
Answer: Coal extraction involves various methods, including:
- Opencast Mining (Surface Mining): This method is suitable for shallow coal deposits near the surface. It involves removing the overburden (soil, rock, etc.) to expose the coal seam. Large machines, such as draglines, shovels, and trucks, are used to extract the coal.
- Underground Mining: This method is used for deeper coal seams. It involves creating tunnels or shafts to access the coal seam. Different techniques, such as bord and pillar, longwall, and room and pillar, are used depending on the geology and seam thickness.
- What are the four varieties of coal and how they differ in their carbon content?
Answer: The four main varieties of coal are:
- Lignite: The lowest rank of coal, with high moisture content and low carbon content.
- Sub-bituminous: Higher carbon content than lignite but lower than bituminous coal.
- Bituminous: The most common type of coal used for electricity generation and industrial purposes.
- Anthracite: The highest rank of coal, with the highest carbon content and energy value.
10. What is the purest form of carbon derived from coal?
Answer: Coke is considered the purest form of carbon as 98% of coke is carbon. Coke is obtained by heating coal for a long time. Coke is a mineral form of carbon.
11. What are the environmental impacts of coal mining and how can they be mitigated?
Answer: Coal mining causes extensive degradation to natural ecosystems such as forests and can scar the landscape irreparably. Damage to humans, animals and plants, occurs due to habitat destruction and environmental contamination. Coal-fired power plants emit more than 60 different hazardous air pollutants.
Mitigation strategies:
1) Pre-combustion: Cleaning coal before burning it.
2) Post-combustion: Flue-gas desulfurization, selective catalytic reduction, electrostatic precipitators, and fly ash reduction.
3) Circular mining: Reducing the extraction of new materials, reusing and recycling existing materials, and minimizing waste and emissions.
12. Describe the types of coal found in India and their uses.
Answer: India has four main types of coal: anthracite, bituminous, lignite, and peat.
Bituminous is the most common type of coal found in India, while anthracite is the highest grade.
Anthracite: Also known as hard coal, it's black, brittle, and lustrous with a high percentage of fixed carbon. It's found in small quantities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Bituminous: A medium grade coal with high heating capacity. It's mostly found in Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Lignite: Also known as brown coal, it contains 40-55% carbon and has a high moisture content. It's found in Rajasthan, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
Peat: It's in the first stage of transformation from wood to coal, with a carbon content of less than 40%. It has a low calorific value and burns like wood.
13. What is the challenge faced by u/g coal mining in India which is impossible to mitigate?
Answer: Adverse Geo-Mining Conditions: Geologically, Indian coalfields are structurally complex with numerous faults, intrusion of dykes and sills which make it difficult to plan mass production from underground mines
14. How does mining industry enhances the quality of life of society?
Answer: Minerals provide the components necessary to build essential infrastructure – transportation routes, homes, schools, hospitals, and other commercial and industrial facilities.
Moreover, wherever the mines are opened. People surrounding that particular area, usually get jobs in mines which in turn help to enhance their overall living standards,
15. What role does SCCL play in India's energy security?
Answer: In the intricate tapestry of energy production, coal provides a significant portion of the India’s power needs. At present, 55 % energy needs are met from coal sector.
SCCL play a pivotal role in ensuring energy security. The uninterrupted supply of coal is vital to sustaining the energy needs of nations, especially in regions heavily dependent on coal-fired power plants. This stability contributes to economic growth, offering a lifeline to industries and households alike.
16. Name one of the future projects of SCCL and where it is located?
Answer: Adriyala Longwall Project (ALP) Upgrade, it is located in the Ramagundam-III area
17. How is coal impacting our day to day lives?
Answer:
1. Energy Generation:
Coal is a major source of electricity generation worldwide.
It powers our homes, offices, and industries, providing the energy needed for lighting, heating, and running appliances.
2. Transportation:
Coal plays a role in transportation through railways and ships.
Trains and ships rely on coal for fuel, especially in regions where other energy sources are scarce.
3. Steel Production:
The steel industry heavily depends on coal.
Coal is used in blast furnaces to reduce iron ore into molten iron, which is then converted into steel.
18. What do you understand by ROM coal?
Answer: ROM stands for Run of mine coal. It is a coal comprising of all sizes which comes out of the mine without any crushing or screening. The coal delivered from the mine that reports to the coal preparation plant is called Run of Mine or ROM.
19. What is India’s ranking globally in terms of reserve?
Answer: India has the fifth largest proven coal reserves in the world
20. What is India’s ranking in terms of production?
Answer: India is the second largest producer of coal in the world, after China.
21. SCCL production of coal during 2023-24?
Answer: SCCL production of coal during 2023-24 was 70.02 MT.
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