New Delhi: Coal India NSE -0.54 % Limited (CIL NSE -3.13 %) has placed a Rs 2,900 crore order for purchase of 96 dumpers of 240-tonne capacity on Belarus-based mining equipment manufacturer Belaz.
The amount for the purchase of the dumpers would be met out of the company’s own finances. Dumpers are primarily used in opencast mines and aid in the transport of bulk materials like over burden, which is an important performance criterion. The Maharatna company’s board has given its nod to close the deal and letter of award has been issued, a senior company executive said.
The purchase package includes the cost of the dumpers and spares for eight years including one year warranty period. Belaz bagged the contract through a global tender process, it said.
The first batch of six dumpers would start rolling in within eight months of signing of the contract. Thereafter, on CIL’s green signal of their performance the remaining quantity would be delivered in batches of four every month.
“This move is in line with improving our production and productivity in opencast mines” he said.
These 96 dumpers would be deployed in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) taking the total tally of the subsidiaty's 240-tonne dumpers to 162, with 66 previously in operation.