
| 54 | Part I: Fundamental Concepts
Coal Mining
Coal mining is one of the oldest industries in India, started in 1814
at Raniganj, Bengal. The total coal deposits of India have been
estimated at 1,48,791 million tonnes, but two-thirds of these lie
too deep for profi table working. They are unevenly distributed
and to move them to areas where they are required, costs a lot of
money.
Coal deposits are chiefl y found in Bihar and West Bengal, and
to some extent, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Assam
and Maharashtra. In 2006–07, coal production in our country stood
at 430 million tonnes. This industry also employs more than one
million ...