ECL Reopens Two Closed Mines Under Revenue Sharing Model

04 Nov 2025 CW Team

Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy virtually inaugurated the operationalisation of two closed mining projects of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) under the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) revenue sharing model. The move marks a strategic shift towards reviving loss-making assets and enhancing private participation in India’s coal mining sector.

The Gopinathpur open cast mine in the Mugma area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, and the Chinakuri underground mine in Sodepur, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, are the first two closed projects revived under this framework, according to ECL Chairman and Managing Director Satish Jha.

As part of its restructuring strategy, ECL amalgamated 16 loss-making mines into 10 and offered them to private operators through the MDO model. The initiative is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the company’s overall output and profitability through a sustainable revenue-sharing mechanism.

The Gopinathpur open cast project holds an extractable reserve of 13.73 million tonnes and a peak rated capacity (PRC) of 0.76 million tonnes per annum. The MDO partner will share 4.59 per cent of the project’s revenue with ECL. Coal production under the 25-year contract began on 13 September 2025.

The Chinakuri underground project, ECL’s first underground mine under the MDO model, has an extractable reserve of 16.7 million tonnes and a PRC of 1 million tonnes per year. The operator will share 8 per cent of the revenue with ECL over the 25-year period.

ECL said the operationalisation of these projects represents a “major milestone” in its turnaround plan and will contribute to the Ministry of Coal’s broader goal of improving production, sustainability, and competitiveness in India’s coal sector.

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Brigade, Marriott Open Courtyard Kochi Infopark

Brigade Hotel Ventures (BHVL) and Marriott International have opened Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark, a rebranded and upgraded hotel formerly operating as Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark.Located in Kakkanad adjoining Infopark Kochi, the 218-room property strengthens Brigade’s hospitality portfolio in one of the city’s key IT and commercial corridors. The hotel is positioned to cater to corporate, MICE and leisure travellers visiting Infopark, SmartCity and other business hubs in Kochi.The property offers flexible workspaces, smart TVs and high-speed WiFi across rooms and suites..

WorkEZ Expands South India Portfolio to 1.7 Mn Sq Ft

Work Easy Space Solutions (WorkEZ) has expanded its managed workspace portfolio to approximately 1.7 million sq. ft. across 12 operational buildings and two upcoming developments, strengthening its footprint across South India.The expansion includes the addition of 65,000 sq. ft. at Phoenix One National Park in Chennai and the company’s entry into Kochi through a partnership with Lulu Developers, adding another 70,000 sq. ft.WorkEZ has also signed a 0.4 million sq. ft. development in Coimbatore with Veeras Infra following the successful leasing of 0.1 million sq. ft. in the first phase. The ..

Stans Arize Allots 111 Homes Within a Week of Launch

The Mandate House has recorded sales of 111 residential units worth over Rs 1 billion within one week of the launch of Stans Arize, a residential development by Stans Buildtech in Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai.The Mandate House, appointed as the exclusive sales partner for the project, managed the end-to-end sales and marketing strategy for the launch.Located at Janata Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Stans Arize is a 23-storey residential tower comprising one and two-bedroom apartments. The project includes amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness centre, jogging track, yoga and meditation area, moss gard..