How old is the coal mining history in the JCF and who operates the coalmines there?
The mining acitivities in the JCF started in 1894 and intensified in 1925. However, at that time the mining activities were generally private undertaking, unplanned and profit-oriented. The government of India nationalised the coal mining industry in 1973/74. A major share of the coal mining is operated by the Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. (BCCL) which is a subsidiary of the Coal India Limited (CIL). A smaller share is also run the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO).
