BS reported that TATA Steel has started preparation to begin underground chromite mining at its leasehold area in Sukinda valley in jajpur district. The company had been excavating chrome ore from its mines in the area for nearly half a century by open cast method.
Mr HM Nerurkar MD of TATA Steel said while flagging off the preparatory work for the underground mining at Sukinda said that “Mining at SCM (Sukinda chrome mine) is fully mechanised at present. The roadmap ahead is to operate underground mines. This will go a long way in conserving natural resources and, thereby, contribute to sustainable mining in the country.”
Underground chromite mining concept is not new in Orissa, but TATA Steel has plans to use latest available technologies based on its studies carried out earlier, which can penetrate much lower than current standards maintained by other miners in the state.
He said that during the process, the company will use recently developed trackless mine technology that ensures complete backfilling of the voids using pastes after excavation.
Sukinda Valley, which has proved reserves of 90% of India’s chromite deposits, houses around a dozen chromite mines. TATA’s chromite mine in Sukinda is spread over 406 hectare.
Sourced from Business Standard
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