SECL logs best-ever Q1 with record coal output

Raipur: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Coal India subsidiary, reported its best-ever first-quarter performance in Q1 FY 2026-27 with record coal production, offtake and overburden removal (OBR).SECL produced 44.10 million tonnes (MT) of coal in the quarter, up 7.19% year-on-year. Coal offtake rose to a record 48.79 MT, a 5.29% increase from the same period last year. Overburden removal reached 99.36 million cubic metres (MCuM), up 5.62%.The company also logged its highest-ever monthly performance in June 2026. OBR touched an all-time high of 34.05 MCuM, nearly 10% above the monthly target and 17.3% higher than June last year.

SECL said the OBR performance strengthens the operational base to sustain production in the coming months.Mechanised coal evacuation through First Mile Connectivity (FMC) increased. A total of 19.58 MT was dispatched via FMC systems in Q1, a 19.7% year-on-year rise. SECL said the higher FMC share supports silo-based, dust-free loading and more efficient evacuation.SECL chairman-cum-managing director Harish Duhan said the results reflected workforce effort and operational focus.

He added that monsoon preparedness measures are in place to maintain continuity of operations and supplies.Coal supplies to the power sector remained the main contributor to offtake. SECL supplied 37.79 MT to power utilities in Q1 FY 2026-27, up 5.4% year-on-year, supporting electricity demand during peak summer and early monsoon.Underground mining output also grew. Underground coal production rose 23.35% year-on-year to 3.17 MT, marking SECL’s best first-quarter underground production in six years.