Coal India Ltd Focuses on Automated Coal Sampling
Filing Summary
Coal India Limited (CIL) is emphasizing automated coal sampling to enhance domestic coal quality. The company is increasing coal dispatches through a silo-based mechanized loading system integrated with Auto Mechanical Samplers. This initiative aims to ensure consistent coal quality and reduce human interference. CIL has dispatched approximately 375 million tonnes of coal via rail until December FY 2026, with half of these dispatches utilizing silo systems. The company plans to increase this to 80% by the end of the fiscal year. CIL’s grade conformity has risen to 85% from 82% the previous year.
Coal India Limited (CIL) is focusing on automated coal sampling to improve the quality of domestic coal supply. The company is progressively increasing coal dispatches through a silo-based mechanized loading system integrated with Auto Mechanical Samplers. This technology-driven process aims to ensure greater consistency in coal quality and reduce human interference.
To ensure impartial and credible coal quality determination, CIL facilitates sampling and testing through independent Third Party Sampling Agencies (TPSAs). Currently, 11 TPSAs are empaneled by Power Finance Corporation Limited to conduct sampling and analysis at coal loading points of CIL’s subsidiary companies. Coal consumers can select a TPSA from the PFCL-empaneled agencies for quality assessment.
Until December FY 2026, CIL dispatched approximately 375 million tonnes of coal via rail, with TPSAs sampling these dispatches. Half of these dispatches were made through silos, where installed auto mechanical samplers ensured high standards of coal quality process control. The company plans to increase this quantity to 80% by the end of the current fiscal year. To achieve this target, CIL is commissioning new first mile connectivity projects and rigorously following loading through silos.
Based on coal quality sampling analysis provided by TPSAs and referee labs, CIL reported an overall grade conformity of 85% until December of the ongoing fiscal year, up from 82% in the same period the previous year. The increased silo loading efforts are expected to further enhance conformity.
CIL has also introduced online analysis at two of its subsidiaries to obtain real-time quality assessment results. This move is part of the company’s efforts to promote technology and transparency in sampling. Despite these measures, the heterogeneous nature of Indian coal means that coal from the same seam can display different grades, affecting the gross calorific value of samples from different locations.
Coal India Limited is a state-owned coal mining corporation and a Maharatna company. It is the largest coal-producing company in the world, focusing on increasing efficiency and quality in coal production and distribution through technological advancements and strategic initiatives.