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M. Somasekhar

Hyderabad , June 27

SINGARENI Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) wants to bolster its ground-based coal exploration methods, mining and related activity by using satellite imagery.

It plans to source high-resolution remote sensing data from Indian Remote Sensing Satellite and from the recently launched Cartosat-I, which has a resolution of 2.5 metre, according to Dr Basava Chary, General Manager (Exploration).

SCCL is in discussion with the Hyderabad-based, National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) for required satellite data. It has already equipped itself with facilities to process the imagery, he told Business Line.

To accelerate this programme, SCCL has got a few personnel trained at NRSA as well as the Geological Survey of India.

Plans are to procure the software and images from NRSA. Concurrently, it is proposing to acquire the ERDAS image processing software.

In addition to utilising the satellite data for geological exploration work for drilling, core logging etc., the high resolution imagery can be useful in studying faults, lineaments and coal bearing rocks more clearly, he said.

SCCL - a joint venture undertaking of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Centre - has over 17,000 sq. km for coal mining.

It has recently drawn up plans to open up new mines, for which the satellite imagery could be useful in exploration work.

Another key area that the satellite data would be targeted is to study the environmental issues. For example, it would be possible to have a land view before and after opencast mining. This would help to take necessary steps to ensure that steps could be taken to halt land degradation after mining.

The company has its own software called Minex, which enables geologists and planners to get an idea of the potential and resource utilisation.

It has created a large database of the mines and other geological aspects that is now being converted to digital format, he said.

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