1909 - Starting of coal mining by
private companies.
1973 - Nationalisation of Coal
Industry was done, now a part
of Western
Coalfields Limited
(WCL) having HQ at Nagpur.
1986 - Came under South Eastern
Coalfields Limited (SECL)
having HQ at
Bilaspur.
1992 - Came under Mahanadi Coalfields
Limited(MCL) having HQ at
Jagriti
Vihar, Burla,
Dist: Sambalpur(Orissa)
HISTORY
While
the coal discovered is referred back to the year 1900, the earliest coal mining started in
1909. Prior to nationalization, three underground mines were operational. Post
nationalization, the IB valley Opencast Mines were opened from 1984 onwards.
At present IB Valley Area consists of three Opencast Mines namely Lajkura Opencast mine, Samleswari Opencast mine and Lilari Opencast
mine.
LOCATION
The IB Valley Coalfield derives its name from IB River, a
tributary of Mahanadi River. The Hingir Coalfield lies on northwest is contiguous.
This Coalfield lies between Lat.210 41’ and 220 06’ and Long.
830 30’ abd 840 08’ covering an area of 1375 Sq. KM. The nearest Railway
Station is Brajrajnagar on the Howrah-Mumbai main line. An all weathered road connects the
coalfield with NH-200 which is connected with SH-10&NH-6.
GEOLOGY
This Coalfield is a part of large synclinal Gondowna Basin of
Raigarh-Hingir and Chhattisgarh Coalfields (Mahanadi Valley) and forms its South Eastern
most member.
Coal potentiality of this fields was investigated as early as 1871-75 by
Mr.V.Ball of GSI. Some works were also done by Mr.W.King during 1884-86. During
1900-01 exposures of various seams were found while constructing bridge over IB River on
the Bombay Howrah Railway line. Further work was undertaken by Geological Survey of India.
During 1977 CMPDIL entrusted the Directorate of Mining & Geology (Govt. of Orissa) for
detail exploration.
Barakar & Karharbari measures are the major coal bearing formations.
Barakar formation contains as many as twenty carbonaceous horizons
with quality ranging from E to G. These horizons have been clubbed and five seams have
been identified in the area, namely Belpahar, Parkhani, Lajkura, Rampur & IB Seams.
Parkhani seam is erratic in quality and thickness. It is generally not found as mineable.
Belpahar seam occurs in the deep side of Lakhanpur OCP and mining operation in this seam
is not foreseen in near future.
Karharbari formation contain only thin coal bands below IB seam.
