Western Coal Fields Gets Green Nod for Ghonsa Mine Expansion

NEW DELHI: Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) has received environment nod for expansion of production capacity of its Ghonsa open cast mine in Maharashtra entailing a cost of over Rs 102 crore. The proposal is to increase the capacity to 0.60 mtpa from 0.45 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) with an increase in mine lease area to 278.68 hectares from 128.79 hectares. "The Union Environment Ministry has accorded the final environment clearance to Western Coalfields' Ghonsa mine expansion proposal," a senior government official said. The green signal to the expansion project has been given subject to compliance of some conditions, the official said.