We expect a positive trend in mining

Shashin Patel, the company’s young JMD, describes the company’s strengths in mining.

What opportunities and potential do you foresee in mining?
Sadbhav has performed exceptionally well in mining sector and performed beyond its set targets so far. We are positively expecting this trend to continue in coming years. I see tremendous potential in the segment but to boost the mining sector and to capture its full potential, both the government and the industry need to take strong measures. We have a strong presence in the mining sector across India and for us to dig is not to simply pull the earth or mineral out, but to strive for a search. We pride ourselves on our technological prowess and people, so we do not compromise when it comes to the most modern technology.

We have successfully completed many mining works and continuously working towards it. We are focused towards our steady growth and look forward to be awarded with more of mining development and operation projects from the Indian government.

Which are the major mining projects Sadbhav involved in India? What are your major accomplishments to showcase?
We have a robust order book of Rs 10,140 crore, out of which Rs 2,630 crore is in the mining sector (as on the 30 November 2013). We are presently executing more than 1.9 lakh cu m of overburden and coal/lignite and uranium per day about 68,000 cu m from a single mine with proven project execution skills and presence across India. We aim to reach a turnover of Rs 11,396 crore by 2020. Our completed mining projects are Bina Extension OCP (NCL), Vastan (GIPCL), Manuguru Open Case II Extension (SCCL), Khadia OCP (NCL), Junad and Neeljai OCMs (WCL), Malanjkhand (Hindustan Copper), and Bharat Diamond.

Ongoing projects include Amlohri OCP (NCL), Basantimata-Dahibari patch (Dahibari), Dhansar, Gondudih and Maheshpur collieries (BCCL), Khadsaliya lignite mine (GHCL), Lakhanpur (MCL), Bandhuhurang opencast (UCIL), and Navinkunada opencast (WCL).

Utilising techno-commercial equipment to optimise the project’s economy, following international safety standards for all mining sites and the best HR policies, in-house maintenance team and practice of AMC with OME, and participating in different MDO projects of coal block are our strengths.

What major mining challenges have you encountered?
The mining sector has been reeling for more than two years under a lethal mix of high borrowing costs and weak policies-mainly those relating to land acquisition, diesel pricing and high power committee rates on manpower. Mining projects across the country remain stalled owing to environmental, regulatory and land acquisition issues. Inflation and a depreciated rupee don’t help either. There is significant mineral potential that still lies untapped for the growth of mining but historically, the sector has struggled to exploit the potential due to regulatory and administrative procedures, inadequate infrastructure facilities, and sustainability.