Nagpur, Oct 27 (IANS): State miner Coal India (CIL) added nearly 7 million tonnes annual production capacity with the inauguration of two new mines in Umred near here on Monday.

Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari and Hansraj Ahir were present at the inauguration of the Dinesh (4 million ton) and Amalgamated Yekona I and II (2.75 million ton) projects of the CIL subsidiary Western Coalfields Ltd.

"Inauguration of the two open cast mine projects of the Western Coalfields Limited marks fulfillment of the assurance of opening one new mine per month and leads to a new era in the history of the company," Coal and Power Minister Goyal told reporters after the launch.

He said the two projects would add the production capacity by 6.75 million tonnes out of which around 5.7 MT would be provided to state-run Mahagenco and other power houses, and lead in turn to generation of additional of 1,400 MW power.

"These projects would also provide job opportunities for the 1,773 land oustees and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of more from the local populace," he added.

Goyal announced at the inauguration that sites would be identified for production of urea from coal for supplying local farmers at cheap rates.