Lignite | RSMML

Lignite, a premature variety of Coal is a dark brown to black combustible mineral formed over millions of years by the partial decomposition of plant material subject to increased pressure and temperature in an airless atmosphere. In simple terms, lignite is a brown coal. In its natural form, lignite is porus, light in weight and contains a high percentage of moisture and volatile matters as compared to Fixed Carbon. Because of this, its transportation, over long distances is uneconomical. Therefore, this fuel is ideally suitable for consumption in the industries which are near to the producing mine and a good cheap alternate to Coal.

The state of Rajasthan is endowed with large lignite deposits in the country after Tamilnadu & Gujarat. In the three districts of the state viz Bikaner, Nagaur and Barmer, geological reserves of more than One Billion Tonnes have been confirmed so far by exploratory drilling. Besides this, deep seated reserves of lignite suitable for underground lignite gasification also exists in the state. The state is also having lignite deposits which may be suitable for development of Coal Bed Methane projects.

RSMML is a State Government Enterprise involved with the work of development of Lignite deposit by open cast mining for mercantile sale in cement, textile, brick kiln etc. industries and for the ultimate end use of power generation.

RSMML is operating three lignite mines in the State. The first lignite mine to commence was Giral in district Barmer in year 1994-95, followed by another mine at Kasnau-Matasukh in Nagaur district in 2003-04. The third lignite mine Sonari, near to existing Giral mine at Barmer was developed in year 2012-13. The approved annual production capacity of each mine is 10 Lakh MT.

At all Lignite mines, the production and the allied mining activities are being executed in highly scientific and technically sound manner so as to achieve excellence in all spheres with particular emphasis on bringing a great degree of consumer satisfaction.

Major consuming sectors of Lignite of RSMML are Cement Industries mostly of Rajasthan for captive power generation, Brick Kilns, Textile & other processing houses of Rajasthan & surrounding states. Imported Coal mainly from Indonesia is major competitor of lignite of RSMML. The Calorific Value of lignite produced from these mines is in the range of 2700 to 3300 KCal/Kg. Lignite produced by Company is being sold through e-auctions conducted by M/s MSTC to cater the demand of consuming industries on market driven price.

Giral mine is situated near village Giral, 43 KM NNW from Barmer Town in western Rajasthan. Giral mines, the first modern OPENCAST Lignite mine in Rajasthan (after closure of Palana underground mine in 1967) was started by the erstwhile RSMDC and commercial production of Lignite from this mine was started in May 1995.

The area includes revenue villages i.e. Giral, Thumbli, Jalelo & Pabupura of Shiv Tehsil in the Barmer District. The mining area can be approached by motorable Pucca Road and it is connected to metal road of Bhadka-Thumbli Road. National Highway no. 15 is passing about 13 KM. away from the area. The area of Giral Mine Lease is 2639.823 Ha.

In the year 2011-12, Company commenced lignite production from Sonari Mine, which is the third lignite mine after Giral, Barmer and Kasnau-Matasukh, Nagaur. Sonari Mines is about 38-41 KM NW of Barmer and the area includes five revenue villages i.e. Khejadli, Sonari, Chhapri, Bisala Agor and Bisala of Shiv and Barmer Tehsil in the Barmer district. The Sonari deposit is the Southern part of Giral. The area of Sonari Mining Lease is 1512.50 Ha.

The Barmer town is on Jodhpur-Barmer branch broad gauge section of North -Western Railways. Jodhpur is the nearest Airport & it is about 200 KM due East of Barmer town.

Matasukh-Kasnau mines are situated near villages Kasnau & Matasukh of Nagaur district in the central Rajasthan, which is 42 KM from district head quarter. These mines were commenced in November 2003 and producing Lignite as per market demand. The area of the Mining Lease is 1063.35 Ha. At present only Matasukh mine is being operated due to constraints of confined aquifer below the Lignite seams. The Kasnau mine is also being operationalised as the reserves of Matasukh are now getting exhausted. These mines are located in central part of Rajasthan, thus having better accessibility to markets. Lignite of these mines has added advantage of low sulphur and ash contents.

The main approach to the mine is via village Farrod, on Nagaur – Didwana State Highway No.60. A metalled road connects Farhod village to Matasukh block for a distance of 6 KM. The Farhod village in turns connects the Jayal tehsil head quarter through Nagaur- Didwana state highway road. Nagaur is situated approximately equidistant from Jodhpur and Bikaner at a distance of 160 and 165 KM respectively on Jodhpur-Bikaner state highway. Nearest Railway Station is Marwar-Mundwa at 25 KM on Merta Road – Nagaur BG Section of NW Railway. Nearest airport is at Jodhpur at a distance of 175 KM from the mines.

In addition to above, two lignite mines viz Kapurdi & Jalipa at Barmer have been developed by Barmer Lignite Mining Company Ltd (BLMCL) which is joint venture company of RSMML. Lignite produced from these two mines is being supplied as fuel to 1080 MW Lignite based power plant set up by M/s Raj West Power Ltd (RWPL) at Bhadresh, Barmer near these mines. BLMCL has been formed as a JV Company between RSMML & RWPL as 51% & 49% partners respectively.