NTPC official was quoted by The Press Trust of India as saying, "Production from the Chatti-Bariatu mines is expected to be around 1 million tonnes and will commence by the end of the fiscal."
The power producer has won seven coal blocks, including Chatti-Bariatu, Chatti-Bariatu (South), Pakri Barwadih, Kerandari, Brahmani, Chichiro Patsimal and Dulanga.
All these blocks are located in the state of Jharkhand, except Dulanga, which is in Odisha.
In 2013, a consortium comprising BLA Projects, Brahmaputra Infrastructure and GSCO Infrastructure has secured the contract to develop and operate the Chatti-Bariatu mine, which is estimated to produce seven million tons per annum, and the NTPC board approved INR13.14bn ($224.9m) for mining in this block.
Earlier this month, NTPC cancelled its Pakri Barwadih mine development deal with Thiess Minecs, a 90% subsidiary of Australia-based Leighton over delays in development and operation.
For the fourth quarter ended 31 March 2014, NTPC reported 29% drop in earnings to INR30.9bn ($529.6m), compared with INR43.81bn ($750.1m) a year ago period.
