Ahmedabad, Aug 20 (KNN) In a bid to support support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) looking for cheaper fuel, the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), is planning to strengthen its lignite production.

GMDC is inviting bids for its Surkha (N) Lignite Mine in Bhavnagar from Lignite Mining contractors to fuel further progress.

Last year, GMDC produced 8.5 million tonnes of lignite.It plans to reach the set target of 10.0 million tonnes this year. Over the previous six months, it has added 400 more customers daily.

Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director, GMDC, said, 'Our customer base among MSMEs in textiles, chemicals, and ceramics along with captive power plants is increasing. 

“Hence, we are increasing our lignite production this year by an additional 1.5 million tonnes even as we look to add more mines shortly. This will help us minimising the constantly increasing demand-supply gap and catering the energy requirements in the state,” he said.

The RFP for Lignite Mining at Surkha (N), Bhavnagar, includes two packages with a tenure of six years each for Overburden/ inter burden removal, Excavation and/or loading of lignite from the mine face and ancillary activities and transporting and unloading raw Lignite, Beneficiated Lignite and Pyrites/Rejects, and other ancillary activities.

As per reports,the estimated quantity of lignite to be extracted under this project will be more than 200 Lakh MT.   (KNN Bureau)