BCCL Starts Coal Washery Operations in West Bengal

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) CIL arm BCCL on Wednesday announced start of commercial operations at its two million tonne per annum (MTPA) Bhojudih coking coal washery in West Bengal, an initiative aimed at boosting supply of washed coal to the steel sector.

Coking coal is a critical raw material used in steel production.

The commissioning of the washery comes at a time when India relies heavily on import of coking coal to meet its domestic demand resulting in significant foreign exchange outflow.

"The commercial operation of the 2.0 MTPA Bhojudih Coal Washery of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), has commenced with effect from 26th May, 2026," the company said in a filing to BSE.

The new facility is a medium-capacity, three-product coking-coal washery with a raw coal washing capability of 2 MTPA (20 lakh tonne per year).


"The washery has been constructed under the Build, Operate and Maintain model and is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as heavy media cyclone, spiral concentrator and froth flotation for beneficiation of coking coal," the filing said.

The washery will facilitate production of washed coking coal for supply to the steel sector.

Coal India Limited (CIL) had earlier announced the setting up of eight new coking coal washeries at an estimated capital of Rs 3,300 crore in a bid to improve coal quality and reduce import dependence.

The washeries, with a combined capacity of 21.5 MTPA are expected to be operational by FY2030.

The upcoming facilities will be in addition to the 10 coking coal washeries already operated by CIL, which together have a cumulative capacity of 18.35 MTPA.

Coal India accounts for 80 per cent of the domestic coal production.