North-East Coalfields New Underground Mining Technology - Case Study Example

North-East Coalfields New Underground Mining Technology Student Name: Course: Institution: Instructor: Date: Introduction of a New Underground Mining Technology at North-East Coalfields in Assam, India 1 Introduction In reference to the tender placed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy on an introduction of a new underground mining technology at north-east coalfields in Assam, India, this report intends to provide a workable technical solution for the for the proposed project. This will be done through the presentation of a distinctive description of the project work that is to be accomplished and implemented. The whole process will be demonstrated through a work breakdown structure (WBS) and the desired deliverables associated with the same. Moreover, the report will provide a detailed analysis of the concerned stakeholders, these analysis will entail the identification and description of the associated key primary and secondary stakeholders and their respective interests to ensure that the bidding process favours their interest, consequently, the report will indicate how the participation of both the primary and secondary stakeholders will influence the decisions made by the lead manager, recommendation on how the lead project manager to avoid conflict while upholding the stakeholders support will be provided as well in this section. This reports intends to provide the stakeholders, lead management and the client with the much needed insight on the project tasks’ that are to be accomplished by the project team. These tasks will be determined by the project’s general specifications and the role of the team in undertaking the tasks as far as the project success is concerned. Lastly, the work breakdown structure (WBS) will describe the project’s main phases and the subsequent steps to be followed at each stage, the specific steps will be dictated by the project expected deliverables. 2 Project Deliverables Summary Coal is regarded as the most abundant fossil fuel resource in India. Coal is known to be the key contributor to India’s energy scenario with 55% of its current total commercial needs being met by coal. It is stipulated that by 2024 to 2025 the share of coal would come down marginally to about 50% of the total energy needs in India. Some of the characteristics of Indian coal deposit include; limited reserves of coking coal, low calorific value thermal coal and high ash, low sulphur and phosphorous content which is estimated to be less than 0.5% and 0.2% respectively, high ash fusion temperature, less trace elements and liptinite and inertinite rich combustion coal. Most of Indian coal production comes from open-pit mines, which contributes over 84% and the technology employed in open-pit coal mining is “shovel- dumper”, “in-pit crushing and conveying”, “dragline”, “surface miners and bucket-wheel excavation in lignite mining”. Technology employed in underground mining include; “mechanized and conventional bord and pillar with SDL, LHD”, powered support “longwall” and “continuous miner”. The Indian government aims to improve its country’s economic growth rate by increasing its primary energy supply by more than 30%. In order to achieve this growth, the Indian government aims at increasing coal production form 540 Mt/year to 795Mt/year, this is in the bid to eradicate poverty and improve the living standards of its citizens. Although this will be difficult to achieve since the country lacks domestic resources that can facilitate its local electricity generation, hence relying on oil and other imported petroleum products. However, India has come up with strategies to increase coal production in its underground mines, strategies like the development of underground projects with “longwall” which is a mass coal production technology on risk/gain basis, application of “Longwall” or “Shortwall” technology in extracting pillars is also considered a viable strategy, intensify mechanised roof bolting, opening of large “longwall” mines (2-10 Mill T) with XIth plan period and implementation of 100% mechanisation by the end of 2017. This increase in coal production will go a long way not only in increasing energy generation but also it will reduce the cost of generating energy in future. Moreover, the whole process will create more employment opportunities and contribute directly to improving the living standards of Indians. The country intends to highly invest in underground mining which currently only accounts for about 15% of the total coal production in India. Underground mining is mainly preferred over open-cast mining because it does not have notable adverse effects on the environment associated with it. Many of the coalfields in India have remained unexploited since they are located in areas that have rich biodiversity and the government’s efforts to minimize environmental degradation. Indian government also aims at increasing coal productivity and improving mines’ safety through the enhancement of industry best practices and the adoption of modern technologies. There are 17 coalfields in the North-East region of India, most of them are located in areas with numerous streams and rivers due to the heavy rainfalls that are experienced in the region. This has in return rendered the process of underground mining by use of conventional methods thus lowering the overall coal productivity and safety of mining activities. The project will specifically focus on “Tipong Colliery” which is located at Margherita in Assam state- India. Even though the study indicates that the area contains deposits of high quality coal, the underground conventional mining difficulty is echoed by high inclination, which makes the techniques practically redundant. There are currently three open cast mines and one underground mine in the area. Underground mining is more preferable in Tipong Colliery because it is the most sustainable way to promote economic development and improve social welfare as well. Advanced technologies ought to be employed in the underground mining in order to enhance high production and uncompromised safety standards (Energy 2012). 3 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 3.1 Exploration The first phase is the exploration phase. This phase will entail drilling and sampling, testing the collected samples and carrying out of geological, geochemical and geo-mechanical analysis. There are a number of factors that ought to be considered before conducting the drilling and sampling exercise. These factors include; relevant permits have to be acquired from relevant authorities and remittance of any accompanying levies has to be done. The issue concerning safety and health of both the team performing the exercise and the general population has to be taken into account and all personnel involved in the underground exploration have adequate protective gear and all should be in sound health. After the above issues have been handled, the lead manager ought to make proper accommodation arrangement for the exploration crew and all required supplies required for the exercise have to be availed then drilling and sampling can be done. The lead manager ought to make a report on the drilling and sampling exercise in order to account for all the exploration activities that took place and the samples that were collected from the exercise. The collected samples should then be tested to confirm that the quality attained is of the required standard. Moreover, the air inside the underground mines ought to be tested in the verge to determine its toxicity level and the possible effects it might have on the miners. Geochemical and Geological analysis will be done in order to determine the probable age and chemical composition of the coal deposits respectively. This information can be used for future exploration. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the coal will also help to determine the toxicity level of gases inside the mines. Geo-mechanical analysis will be carried out in order to determine the best and applicable mining techniques that can be employed. 3.2 Environmental Analysis This phase will entail characterization of the mining site, data management and reporting of the same. Characterization of the mining site will be done through conceptual site modelling. This will be achieved through a multi-phase approach that will help the lead manager to have adequate insight of the site conditions and the distribution of contaminants (if any) in the environment. Site assessment encompasses factors like; climate, soil, rocks and water. Data management is the second phase. This phase entails collection of relevant and sufficient data from each identified area of concern. This data will be collected based on both “preliminary conceptual site modelling” and “environmental site assessment” to determine whether or not the outcome was as a result of previous coal mining activity. Finally reporting on all activities that have taken place in this will be done, the report will have a direction on project’s environmental impact assessment, community relations, regulatory interaction and acquisition of required permits. 3.3 Engineering & Technical Analysis This phase entails surveying; geologic, biological and geo-chemical analysis. The process will involve the use of global information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS). The survey aid in determining of the mines location and the place to locate the exercise equipment and the plant itself. 3.4 Facilities Facility location and design determine efficiency and effectiveness of operations during the mining exercise. Therefore clear and critical analysis has to be done to ensure that all facilities that are required are located in the most convenient place. Facility design and eventual construction is determined in this phase. These facilities include; power facilities, tailings, access facilities, waste disposal facilities, buildings and domestic water. 3.5 Construction of Underground Mines Activities involved in this phase include; digging shafts and portals, making mine ventilations, blasting, making pillars to support the mine and waste removal to facilitate efficient extraction of coal. 3.6 Processing This process entails three major steps which will be performed on site; pre-treatment, cleaning and subsequent treatment. Extracted coal should be conveniently transported to the end user or customer. This will eliminate the issue of middle men who tend to benefit from the coal, arrangements of how to shortly store and transport the end product should be done well by the management. 3.7 People Man power for the exercise should be provided by the local community, the company ought to first take initiative to enlighten the locals on the process involved in coal mining. This will enable the company to develop local with adequate skill to perform the tasks. Community development activities should be initiated by the company in order to foster good relationship with the community. Safety and health ought to be of great priority by the company, all workers and the surrounding community as a whole needs to be considered and protected from any harm that may emerge from the exercise. 3.8 Management Management plays a critical role in success of any project. Therefore, the company ought to highly invest in management personnel that possess the right credentials for the job. The management team should ensure that all rules and regulations that govern coal mining activities are followed to the latter, manpower resources should be acquired from the locals and reward to the society should be upheld if the exercise has to be a success (Franks et al 2010). The figure below illustrates the project work breakdown structure (WBS) 4 Stakeholder Analysis 4.1 Stakeholder Identification The study identified stakeholders that include; government organizations, de-concentrate government services, politicians, international partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local authorities, individuals and businesses who have interests in the mining industry, academic and research institutions and the media. 4.2 Primary Stakeholders Primary stakeholders constitute all those who are directly involved in planning, administration and execution of the project. Stakeholders in this exercise include; the North East Coalfield, the European Commission, contractors and sub-contractors, suppliers, the government, politicians, local authority and NGOs. 4.2.1 The European Commission The European Commission is the project sponsor, therefore, it’s one of the Primary stakeholders for the project. The interest of this primary stakeholder in the coal mining project are elaborated in the technical specifications which constitute the projects deliverables. 4.2.2 North East Coalfield North Eastern Coalfields is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited that govern all the mining activities in the region. The company is a primary shareholder since they will be involved in the management of the mine. 4.2.3 Contractors and Subcontractors The main contractors and subcontractors involved in the project are part of the primary stakeholders because they are involved in the running of the mining project. 4.2.4 Government Coal India Limited is governed by Ministry of Coal which falls under the government which has the overall responsibility of determining strategies and policies in regards to exploration and development of coal and lignite reserves. Therefore, all the activities that will be carried out by the project will have to align with the laid down government policies hence making it a primary stakeholder. 4.2.5 Suppliers Reliable suppliers determine a success of a project since they ensure that all required equipment is where it’s required at the right time, therefore, they are primary stakeholders. A part from availing resources for production, they also play a critical role in determining the overall cost of production. They not only influence the availability of inputs for the processing of coal but also determine the overall cost of production. 4.3 Secondary Stakeholders Secondary stakeholders are also known as indirect stakeholders, this are people who are indirectly associated with the project such as; support staff and internal managers, secretariat and senior managers who are in-charge of other divisions within an organization. The study identified three main secondary stakeholders who are; educational and research institutions, de-concentrate government services and the media. 4.3.1 Educational/ Research institutions The inclusion of educational or research institutions is key in the project life cycle, first and foremost, the presence of the scholars and students will enable the project manager to gain more insight on technological advancement gathered from various researches conducted on coal mining by the two groups (students and other scholars). Secondly, the students and other scholars tend to benefit from the practical experience that can be gained from the coal production that can be used to enhance their knowledge on the same. 4.3.2 De-concentrate Government Services The company owes the workers and the community at large proper medical and educations services, the people living in the project environs ought to appreciate the presence of the company through rendering of such services, the company also has to ensure that the local environment for the coal fields is human and environmental friendly and free from chemical contamination. The company needs to liaise with other government organs like the ministry of environment and natural resources to ensure that the exercise does not leave the area infected and unproductive. 4.3.3 Media The media plays one critical role of informing the population on happenings, therefore it is regarded as a secondary stakeholder since it determines how the company will be viewed by both the government and the local society. Every company needs to uphold its image in order to acquire more tenders and or contracts both from the public and the government. Therefore, it is highly advisable for the company to create a good image for itself (Energy 2012). Figure 1: Stakeholder Matrix Stakeholder Stakeholder Interest Influence on the Project Positive Negative Primary Stakeholders European Union Project Sponsor Meets the cost of the project: The EU has the capacity to avail financial and other resources in a timely manner The organization has imposed very stringent and specific deliverables for the project North East Coalfield Project Owner Facilitate the project Might also impose strict conditions for conducting the project Contractors and Subcontractors Execution of the project Will reduce the workload for the main contractor and help in the achievement of project deliverables Might fail to honour contracts or execute tasks in a timely manner thus resulting in unforeseen delays Government Enforcement of legal requirements for the project Enforce ownership rights Impose regulations on the project, which might increase production costs Suppliers Providing inputs for the project Facilitate the project by availing necessary inputs Might fail to avail inputs in a timely manner Secondary Stakeholders Educational and Research Institutions Conducting research and formulating innovative solutions for the project’s technical challenges Facilitate innovation for the project’s production processes Represent an additional cost to the firm De-concentrate Government Services Reporting project activities that are of interest to stakeholders Promote the company’s corporate image by painting it in a positive light Media Providing social amenities to the firm’s employees and the local community. Promote the social welfare of the project’s workforce Tarnish the image of the firm References Franks, D. M., Brereton, D., & Moran, C. J. (2010). Managing the cumulative impacts of coal mining on regional communities and environments in Australia. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 28(4), 299-312. Energy, D. G. (2012). European Commission Directorate-General for Energy. Consultation Paper Financial support for energy efficiency in buildings, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy, Brussels. Read More