Ranchi, Oct 18 (IANS): Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the government will go all the way to achieve 1 billion tonne coal production at earliest and end dependence on imported coal

Joshi dedicated the 'Continuous Miner' at Churi underground (UG) mines in Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) to the nation.

Addressing a programme the Coal Minister said "The government will go all the way to achieve 1 billion tonne coal production at earliest and end dependence on imported coal. Government under the dynamic leadership of PM is committed to help CCL and other coal companies to clear all the hurdles and challenges such as environmental clearance, authentication of land by state machinery etc."

The miner will add a new chapter in the long history of Churi underground mines with commencement of mass production technology having capacity to produce upto 4,000 tonnes per day. Earlier, the production at Churi UG was 4,000 tonne/annum, after installation of mass production technology through continuous miner production is expected to rise upto 5 lakh tonnes per annum.

The coal reserve at Churi underground mine has low ash content with high heating capacity. It has extractable coal reserves of 7.5 MT.