New Delhi, August 24, 2026: The Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine in Odisha, operated by NLC India Ltd., has recorded its highest-ever annual coal production of 19.14 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2025-26, marking an 11.28% year-on-year increase over the previous year.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Nominated Authority (NA)-allocated mine has emerged as a significant contributor to India’s domestic coal availability and energy security, while also recording strong performance in coal dispatch, technology adoption, safety, environmental management, employment and community development.
Talabira II & III Records 19.14 MT Coal Production
Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine, located across Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts of Odisha, was allocated to NLC India Ltd. on May 2, 2016, under Schedule III of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
The mine produced 19.14 MT of coal during FY 2025-26, its highest-ever annual production.
It also achieved its highest-ever daily production of 1,26,138.07 tonnes on March 21, 2026, while its highest-ever monthly production of 3.39 MT was recorded in March 2026.
The latest figures highlight the mine’s growing contribution to India’s domestic coal production and efforts to strengthen energy security.
Annual Coal Dispatch Reaches Record 17.69 MT
Production growth at Talabira II & III was accompanied by a record increase in coal dispatch.
The mine recorded its highest-ever annual coal dispatch of 17.69 MT in FY 2025-26.
Of the total dispatch:
- 10.72 MT was supplied to the power sector.
- 6.97 MT was supplied to the non-regulated sector.
Coal produced at Talabira II & III supports power-generating facilities across several States, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Major power plants receiving coal include NTPC Darlipali, NTPC Gadarwara, NTPC Khargone and NTPC Kudgi, among others.
Cumulative Production Crosses 72 MT
The mine has maintained a sustained growth trajectory since production began.
According to PIB, cumulative coal production from Talabira II & III reached 72.23 MT, while cumulative dispatch stood at 70.89 MT up to August 14, 2026.
The figures underline the increasing role of operationalised coal resources in supporting India’s domestic energy requirements and reducing dependence on external sources of coal.
Digital Technology Improves Mine Operations
Technology has played a significant role in improving operational efficiency at Talabira II & III.
The mine has implemented a Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) for end-to-end digital monitoring and control of coal transportation and dispatch.
The system uses technologies including:
- RFID-based vehicle verification
- AI-enabled cameras
- Technology-enabled entry and exit gates
- GPS-based fleet management
- Geo-fencing
- Drone-based surveying
- 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanning with GNSS receivers
- Mechanised truck loading
- CCTV surveillance
Following the implementation of DLMS, the average entry-gate processing time declined from 1.42 minutes to 0.54 minutes per vehicle.
Tare weighment time was also reduced from 1.34 minutes to 0.48 minutes per vehicle.
These improvements demonstrate how digital systems can increase efficiency and streamline logistics in large-scale mining operations.
Focus on Environment-Friendly Mining Practices
Alongside production, the mine has undertaken several measures aimed at environmental management and responsible mining.
Plantation has been carried out across 23.43 hectares inside the mine lease, covering 64,288 plants.
Another 29.48 hectares outside the mine lease has been covered with 65,202 plants.
The mine has also installed 11.68 kW of solar power capacity, including solar street lighting in nearby villages and solar lighting within mine infrastructure.
Dust-control measures include wet drilling, water sprinkling, fog cannons, fixed sprinkling systems, wind barriers, truck-washing systems and mechanised road sweeping.
Talabira Mine Reports Zero Fatal Accidents
Safety has remained another important component of the mine’s operational performance.
The mine has reported nil fatal accidents since its inception, according to PIB.
Safety initiatives include a dedicated Safety Management Plan, improved haul-road and traffic management, PPE compliance, strengthened blasting procedures, safety training and near-miss reporting through the ARAN Safety App.
Talabira II & III has also received multiple recognitions under the Annual Mines Safety Fortnight and secured a Five-Star Rating under the Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating Evaluation consecutively from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
More Than 3,200 Employment Opportunities Supported
The impact of the mine extends beyond coal production and energy supply.
Talabira II & III supports approximately 3,277 employment opportunities, comprising 1,277 direct and around 2,000 indirect employment opportunities through transportation and allied activities.
The project has also supported skill development initiatives.
Five Project Affected Persons received skill-development training at the Skill Development Institute, Bhubaneswar, while 101 rural youth and women were trained in sustainable livelihood initiatives through RSETI and PMKVY centres.
₹5.32 Crore CSR Spending in FY 2025-26
Community development has also formed an important part of the project’s broader impact.
During FY 2025-26, CSR expenditure stood at ₹5.32 crore, supporting initiatives related to healthcare, drinking water, education, school transportation, rural infrastructure, sports, cultural activities and solar lighting.
Health and blood-donation camps benefited around 1,500 people, while drinking-water supply through tankers benefited approximately 10,000 people.
In FY 2026-27, up to July 2026, another ₹4.20 crore was spent on initiatives including drinking-water supply, healthcare support, solar lighting, school and Anganwadi infrastructure, rural roads, community facilities and water-body rejuvenation.
Talabira II & III’s Role in India’s Energy Security
The performance of Talabira II & III highlights the potential of operationalised domestic coal resources to contribute to India’s energy security.
The mine’s record production and dispatch have helped supply coal to power plants across multiple States while its investments in digital technology, safety, environmental measures, employment and community development have expanded its impact beyond mining operations.
The project reflects the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen domestic coal production and improve the utilisation of coal resources allocated under the Nominated Authority framework.
Conclusion
With 19.14 MT of record annual production and 17.69 MT of record annual dispatch in FY 2025-26, Talabira II & III has emerged as a major contributor to India’s domestic coal supply.
Its cumulative production of 72.23 MT and cumulative dispatch of 70.89 MT up to August 14, 2026, combined with technology adoption, zero fatal accidents, environmental initiatives, employment generation and CSR activities, demonstrate the wider impact of the project.
The mine’s performance underscores the role of domestic coal production in strengthening India’s energy
security and supporting the broader objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, August 24, 2026.
