In a significant development for India’s coal sector, the Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine, allocated under the government’s Nominated Authority (NA) framework, has achieved record production and dispatch figures in FY26. The mine produced 19.14 million tonnes (MT) and dispatched 17.69 MT, as reported by an official statement on Monday.
The Ministry of Coal highlighted that these achievements reflect the Central government’s commitment to enhancing domestic coal output and ensuring energy security through the Nominated Authority (NA) framework. Allocated to NLC India Ltd. on May 2, 2016, the Talabira II & III mine has shown exceptional performance in various metrics, including production volume, dispatch efficiency, technological integration, safety protocols, environmental management, and community engagement.
Located in the Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts of Odisha, this mine has become a crucial player in bolstering the country’s coal supply. It recorded a year-on-year production increase of 11.28%, hitting a peak daily output of 126,138.07 tonnes on March 21, 2026, and achieving its highest monthly production of 3.39 MT during March 2026.
The coal extracted from Talabira II & III is vital for numerous power generation facilities across various states, including NTPC Darlipali, NTPC Gadarwara, NTPC Khargone, NTPC Kudgi, and several plants in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Since commencing production, the mine has maintained a consistent growth pattern, with total coal production reaching 72.23 MT and total dispatch at 70.89 MT as of August 14, 2026. The Ministry emphasized that this performance showcases the effective results achievable through the operationalization of coal resources allocated under the Government’s coal-block allocation framework.
Technological advancements have played a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency at Talabira II & III. The implementation of the Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) has facilitated comprehensive digital oversight of coal transportation and dispatch, utilizing RFID-based vehicle verification, AI-driven cameras, and technologically advanced entry and exit checkpoints.
As a result of DLMS, the average processing time for vehicle entry at the gate has significantly decreased from 1.42 minutes to 0.54 minutes, and tare weight measurement has improved from 1.34 minutes to 0.48 minutes. The mine employs surface miners equipped with dust suppression systems, GPS-based fleet management, geo-fencing, 3D terrestrial laser scanning with GNSS receivers, drone surveying, mechanized truck loading, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, and CCTV surveillance.
Safety is a top priority at Talabira II & III, which has recorded zero fatal accidents since its inception. The mine enforces a robust Safety Management Plan, enhanced haul road and traffic management, PPE compliance, improved blasting procedures, comprehensive safety training, and near-miss reporting through the ARAN Safety App.
Moreover, Talabira II & III provides 3,277 job opportunities, including 1,277 direct jobs and around 2,000 indirect positions related to transportation and other supporting activities.
