Essal Mining has received a contract to carry out mining operations of the Bhubaneswari open cast mine in India from Coal India’s subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL).

Under the 15-year contract, Essal Mining will carry out all works related to the Bhubaneswari mines including production, removal of overburden and installation of street lighting, reports the Press Trust of India.

The mine has a coal capacity of 20Mtpa and is expected to produce 8Mt of coal in the first year.

According to an MCL official, the Bhubaneswari mine is one of the company’s three mines that have been offered for outsourcing by the government, and the other two mines are still be outsourced.