Sonepur Bazari OCP: Setting New Benchmarks in Coal Production and Operational Excellence

The Sonepur Bazari Opencast Mine (OCP) in Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, a flagship mine of Eastern Coalfields Limited, has exceeded its FY 2026‑27 production targets. Against a planned 27.74 lakh tonnes, it produced 29.22 lakh tonnes (105.34% of target) and achieved 122.89% of its over‑burden removal target (253.40 lakh m³). Coal dispatch rose 16% year‑on‑year to 39.94 lakh tonnes. Enabling factors include land rehabilitation, a 12 million‑tonne‑per‑annum Coal Handling Plant commissioned in 2021, and a modern fleet of heavy earth‑moving machinery and surface miners that improve productivity and reduce environmental impact.