Dhanbad, Oct. 16: Foreign companies are set to exploit the coal reserves of one of the deepest underground mines of India in Moonidih, under Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), situated in the western Jharia block, Dhanbad.

Through global tenders, BCCL has fixed a target of about 1.5 to 2 million tonne of coal production from the mine, which has been passing through a lean production phase.

This initiative has been taken to increase the production of prime coking coal from Moonidih and meet the demands of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). This comes after the MoU BCCL signed with the steel company and got Rs 166 crore for development of its virgin seams in Moonidih and some adjoining areas. One of the largest and most happening mines of the BCCL, Moonidih is the only mine in BCCL with a Longwall caving. SAIL had signed the agreement to develop 15 and 16 top seams of Moonidih by procuring Longwall mining equipment and produce an extra supply of about 0.5 million tonnes of prime washed coking coal.

BCCL floated a global tender six months ago for 15 top seam, which has a coal reserve of about 40 million tonnes. Ukraine seemed to be interested but did not come forward for the contract. BCCL is going for a re-tender for 15 seam and a fresh tender for the 16 top seam.

“We do not have equipment to mine the coal and we have a standing demand of prime coking coal. Let the foreign companies come, use their machineries and give us the required coal,” said S.N Katiyar, the technical director of BCCL.