Western Coalfields Limited
A Miniratna Company
A Subsidiary of Coal India Limited
A Miniratna Company
A Subsidiary of Coal India Limited
Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande (56) assumed charge as Director (Personnel), Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) on 27th January 2025. Prior to this, he served as Area General Manager of Raigarh Area, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a key subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). With over three decades of extensive experience in coal mining operations, he has been at the forefront of managing both large-scale opencast and underground coal mining projects across various CIL subsidiaries.
Dr. Pande embarked on his professional journey with Coal India Limited in 1989 as a Mining Engineer after graduating in Mining Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur. Over the years, he has accumulated 19 years of service in WCL and 16 years in SECL, contributing significantly to the coal sector. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Mining and has enriched his expertise through various international training programs. Notably, he attended the Advanced Global Techno-Management training at ESCP, one of Europe’s top business schools, and visited France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Additionally, he was part of the Indian delegation at the Prospectors and Developers Association (PDAC) conference in Toronto, Canada, participating in crucial global business discussions. He has also obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management, further strengthening his strategic and leadership capabilities in the mining sector.
A visionary leader, Dr. Pande has vast expertise in diverse coal mining technologies, land acquisition, and industrial relations. From September 2008, he was posted in South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), where he held various positions across Chirimiri, Hasdeo, Gevra, Johilla, and Raigarh Areas.
As General Manager (Project) at Gevra, home to India’s largest open-cast coal mine, Dr. Pande played a pivotal role in modernizing operations at this crucial mining hub. Gevra, known for its massive coal reserves and high production capacity, is one of the most significant contributors to India's energy sector. During his tenure, he led the commissioning of the in-pit crushing system with SILO dispatch, an initiative that significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Additionally, he championed IT-driven innovations to enhance transparency and efficiency in coal dispatch mechanisms, setting new industry benchmarks.
Building on his sincere approach and commitment, he assumed higher responsibilities as Head of Johilla and Raigarh Areas at SECL. In Raigarh, he was instrumental in commissioning two SILOs of 6 MTY and 10 MTY along with two wharf wall sidings for environment-friendly coal dispatch. Under his leadership, a solar power unit was established in Johilla Area, and numerous CSR initiatives were undertaken, benefiting underprivileged communities. Recognizing his outstanding contributions, Coal India Limited honored him with the Best General Manager Award in 2022.
With a distinguished career spanning 35 years, Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande brings a rich blend of technical acumen, stakeholder management, employee engagement, contract execution, and industrial relations expertise. His relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable mining practices is set to significantly benefit Western Coalfields Limited and the Indian coal industry as a whole.