Korba, July 1: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the flagship subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has registered its best-ever performance in the first quarter of FY 2026-27 by achieving record coal production, coal offtake and overburden removal (OBR), reflecting strong operational efficiency and sustained growth across its mining operations.
During the April-June quarter, SECL produced 44.10 million tonnes (MT) of coal, registering a 7.19 per cent increase over the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Coal offtake touched an all-time high of 48.79 MT, up 5.29 per cent year-on-year, while overburden removal reached 99.36 million cubic metres (MCuM), recording a growth of 5.62 per cent.
The company also delivered its highest-ever monthly performance in June 2026. Coal production and despatch attained record levels during the month, while overburden removal stood at 34.05 MCuM, nearly 10 per cent higher than the monthly target and 17.3 per cent above the corresponding figure of June last year. The achievement is expected to provide a strong operational base for sustaining production during the remaining months of the financial year.
SECL continued to strengthen mechanised coal evacuation through its First Mile Connectivity (FMC) infrastructure. During the first quarter, 19.58 MT of coal was transported through FMC systems, registering an impressive 19.7 per cent growth over the same period last year. The increased share of silo-based, dust-free loading is in line with Coal India Limited’s objective of promoting faster, cleaner and environmentally sustainable coal transportation.
Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan attributed the company’s record performance to the commitment of its employees and continued emphasis on operational excellence. He said the significant increase in FMC-based loading reflects SECL’s focus on efficient and sustainable mining practices. He added that comprehensive monsoon preparedness measures have already been implemented across all mining operations to ensure uninterrupted coal production and supplies during the rainy season.
Coal supplies to the power sector remained the major contributor to the company’s offtake growth. During the first quarter, SECL supplied 37.79 MT of coal to power utilities, registering a 5.4 per cent increase over the corresponding period of the previous year, helping meet the country’s rising electricity demand during the peak summer and early monsoon months.
The company also recorded encouraging growth in underground mining. Underground coal production increased by 23.35 per cent year-on-year to 3.17 MT, marking SECL’s highest first-quarter underground output in the past six years. The growth has been attributed to the adoption of modern mining technologies and improved operational practices.
With record performances in production, offtake and overburden removal, SECL has made a strong start to FY 2026-27 and reinforced its contribution towards achieving Coal India Limited’s annual production and supply targets while supporting the nation’s energy security.
