Singareni Must Look Beyond Coal, Focus on Critical Minerals: Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday called for a long-term transformation of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), urging the state-owned mining giant to diversify beyond coal and explore the extraction of critical minerals essential for emerging technologies.

Chairing a special review meeting with senior officials of Singareni and GENCO at the company's headquarters in Kothagudem, Bhatti assured that the state government would extend full support to strengthen Singareni and develop it into a globally competitive enterprise. He said the government's doors would remain open around the clock for initiatives aimed at the company's growth.

The Deputy Chief Minister observed that the rapid expansion of solar power, wind energy, green hydrogen, and battery energy storage systems is expected to reduce dependence on coal and thermal power over the next 15 to 20 years. In view of this transition, he said Singareni must prepare for the future by expanding into new sectors rather than relying solely on coal mining. Describing the 130-year-old organisation as the "soul of Telangana," he reiterated the government's commitment to its long-term progress.

Bhatti noted that the coal industry has become increasingly competitive following the auction of coal blocks to private players. He stressed that Singareni can remain competitive only by maintaining high-quality coal production, preventing contamination with soil and rocks during mining, reducing operational costs, and improving efficiency without compromising standards.

The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised the previous BRS government, alleging that it failed to secure dedicated coal blocks for the Bhadradri and Yadadri Thermal Power Projects due to the absence of long-term planning. He said the present Congress government had expedited the resolution of land acquisition and forest clearance issues related to the Naini coal block in Odisha and the Tadicherla-II project.

Emphasising that Singareni is more than just a commercial enterprise, Bhatti said it serves as the livelihood of thousands of workers and their families. He pointed out that sustained profitability is essential for safeguarding employees' future and directed the management to regularly engage with workers and trade unions at every mine to gather suggestions for the company's growth.

Highlighting the expertise available within Singareni, Bhatti said its experienced engineers and mining professionals should be encouraged to venture into the exploration of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which are vital for semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries. He also proposed that the company participate in auctions for critical mineral blocks in countries such as Australia and South Africa.

He further advised that future Board meetings should move beyond routine administrative matters and focus on preparing a comprehensive 10-year corporate roadmap for Singareni's expansion and diversification.

The meeting was attended by Energy Department Principal Secretary Naveen Mittal, Singareni CMD Jyoti Buddhaprakash, and other senior officials.