Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) is all set to start production of manufactured sand (M-Sand)-the core material used in construction in civil works in its Amlohri Project. NCL is a Miniratna coal-producing company.
- Eyeing on business diversification while focusing on the ecological balance, the company has set up a Sand manufacturing plant using its Over Burden (OB) as raw material. Overburden is the rock or soil layer that needs to be removed in order to access the ore being mined.
- This initiative of the company will assist to conserve river bed erosion and preserve aquatic ecosystems. Recently NCL has secured consent to operate (CTO) which paves the path towards commercial production and auction of M-Sand.
- Sand is one of the major geological resources of the country and M sand is a form of artificial sand manufactured by crushing large hard stones into fine particles. It is used as a substitute of river sand mainly for creating concrete or mortar mix.
- NCL will produce about 3 Lakh Cubic Meters of M-Sand annually and will be using 1429 Cubic Meters Over Burden each day to make 1000 Cubic Meters of sand per day.
- The ‘M-Sand’ produced will be e-auctioned at a much cheaper base price and of superior or par quality compared to presently available sand in the market.
