Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is expanding its focus to include critical mineral mining opportunities beyond India. The Telangana government-owned entity, which continues to prioritize domestic coal production, is now being encouraged to diversify its portfolio. Under the direction of Telangana’s Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, SCCL is exploring the potential for mining critical minerals, including lithium.
Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka recently highlighted the importance of critical minerals, stating that they are essential not only as industrial raw materials but also as the foundation for a green economy. In line with this vision, SCCL is considering the global landscape for opportunities to tap into the sector.
In November, SCCL signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) to explore new research and development areas within mining and mining technologies. A recent meeting between IITH experts and SCCL’s senior leadership focused on devising strategies to leverage rare minerals, with research indicating that fly ash from the Singareni Thermal Power Plant contains valuable minerals. A special workshop led by IITH experts will soon be held to educate SCCL officials about the commercial potential of these critical minerals.
Although SCCL will continue to focus on coal mining, it is adapting to the changing energy landscape by expanding into new sectors. A senior company official noted that the move aligns with the evolving energy sector and SCCL’s capabilities in modern coal mining techniques, including IT integration, equipment maintenance, coal handling, and advanced management practices such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation.
SCCL’s coal reserves span 350 kilometers across the Pranahita – Godavari Valley in Telangana, with proven reserves totaling 8,791 million tonnes. The company produced 70.02 million tonnes of coal in 2023-24. With an aggressive growth strategy, SCCL plans to expand its core business by offering consultancy services related to coal mining and diversification. The collaboration with IITH aims to enhance academic and technological advancements, allowing both entities to develop indigenous solutions.
