NLC’s Talabira II & III Mine Records Highest-Ever Coal Production of 19.14 MT – Indian PSU
NLC India Limited’s Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine in Odisha has achieved its highest-ever annual coal production of 19.14 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2025-26, registering a year-on-year growth of 11.28%.
The mine, located across Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts, was allocated to NLC India on May 2, 2016, under Schedule III of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
Talabira II & III also achieved a record daily production of 1,26,138 tonnes on March 21, 2026, while monthly production reached an all-time high of 3.39 MT in March 2026.
Record Dispatch to Power Sector
The production milestone was accompanied by the mine’s highest-ever annual coal dispatch of 17.69 MT in FY 2025-26.
Of this, approximately 10.72 MT was supplied to the power sector and 6.97 MT to the non-regulated sector. Coal from Talabira II & III supports power plants across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Cumulative coal production from the mine reached 72.23 MT, while cumulative dispatch stood at 70.89 MT up to August 14, 2026.
Digital Technology Boosts Mine Efficiency
Technology has played a key role in improving operational efficiency at Talabira II & III.
The mine’s Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) provides end-to-end digital monitoring of coal transportation and dispatch through RFID-based vehicle verification, AI-enabled cameras and technology-enabled entry and exit gates.
Following its implementation, average entry-gate processing time fell from 1.42 minutes to 0.54 minutes per vehicle, while tare weighment time declined from 1.34 minutes to 0.48 minutes.
The mine also uses GPS-based fleet management, geo-fencing, drone surveying, 3D terrestrial laser scanning, mechanised truck loading, continuous ambient air quality monitoring and CCTV surveillance.
Zero Fatalities and Strong Environmental Measures
Safety continues to be a major focus, with nil fatal accidents since inception.
Talabira II & III has received a Five-Star Rating under the Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating Evaluation consecutively from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
Environmental initiatives include plantation over 23.43 hectares within the mine lease, covering 64,288 plants, and another 29.48 hectares outside the lease, covering 65,202 plants.
The mine has also installed 11.68 kW of solar power capacity, including solar lighting in nearby villages and mine infrastructure. Dust-control measures include wet drilling, water sprinkling, fog cannons, wind barriers, truck washing and mechanised road sweeping.
Employment and CSR Impact
Talabira II & III supports around 3,277 employment opportunities, including 1,277 direct and approximately 2,000 indirect jobs through transportation and allied activities.
CSR expenditure stood at ₹5.32 crore in FY 2025-26, supporting healthcare, drinking water, education, rural infrastructure, sports, cultural activities and solar lighting.
Health and blood-donation camps benefited around 1,500 people, while tanker-based drinking-water supply benefited approximately 10,000 people.
During FY 2026-27 up to July 2026, a further ₹4.20 crore was spent on drinking-water supply, healthcare, solar lighting, school and Anganwadi infrastructure, rural roads, community facilities and water-body rejuvenation.
Strengthening India’s Domestic Coal Supply
With record production and dispatch, cumulative production of 72.23 MT and cumulative dispatch of 70.89 MT, NLC India’s Talabira II & III mine has emerged as a significant contributor to domestic coal availability and energy security.
Its combination of high-capacity production, digital mining technology, safety, environmental management and community development highlights the growing role of operationalised coal resources in supporting India’s energy security and the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
