Caliber Mining, in partnership with Eicher, focuses on maximising uptime, efficiency, and reliability across its mining and logistics operations, writes Richa Tyagi.
Founded in 2014, Caliber Mining and Logistics Ltd., formerly known as Caliber Mercantile Private Limited, situated in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. This is a second-generation enterprise that has evolved from its parent business, Chadda Roadlines, established in the transport sector. “In the second generation, we are four brothers leading the company, the eldest, Manish Chadda, followed by Anuj Chadda, Mohit Chadda, and the youngest, Rahul Chadda,” shared Mohit Chadda, Chairman and Managing Director, Caliber Mining and Logistics Ltd.
Building on that strong foundation, Caliber entered the coal segment in 2014, focusing initially on coal trading, liaisoning, and transportation. The company began as a coal logistics provider, serving multiple subsidiaries of Coal India and leading industry players such as Adani Power, GMR, and Dhariwal, among others. From 2014 to 2019, the company built deep expertise in these areas before taking a major leap into coal mining in 2021. “We started our first mining site during the COVID period,” recalled Rahul Chadda, Director, Caliber Mining. “At that time, our output was around 13,000 cubic metres per day. Since then, we have scaled steadily; today, we handle over 400,000 cubic metres per day in overburden (OB) operations.”
In 2021, the company took a decisive step forward by entering the coal mining segment, and since then, its growth trajectory has been exceptional. Caliber’s revenue increased from Rs. 227 crore in FY 2019-20 to Rs. 953 crore in FY 2023-24, highlighting its strong operational performance and rapid expansion across both mining and logistics divisions. Currently, the company operates across over 14 sites in India, with a strong presence in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, spanning both mining and coal logistics operations. “Our performance metrics tell our story,” said Mohit Chadda. “With a 10 per cent PAT and 25 per cent EBITDA in FY 2023–24, Caliber stands among the top performers in the sector. We have also achieved an impressive 38 per cent Return on Equity (ROE) in the same fiscal year. Over the past two years, the company’s revenue has grown at a CAGR of 59 per cent (FY 2022–FY 2024), reflecting our focus on operational excellence and sustainable growth.”
In a significant endorsement of Caliber’s journey and future potential, Abakkus Asset Manager, led by renowned investor Sunil Singhania, has invested Rs 50 crore in the company, a strong symbol of trust and confidence from marquee investors. “This milestone shows our operational excellence, financial discipline, and the management team’s unwavering focus on sustainable and scalable growth,” affirmed Mohit.
Association With Eicher
Caliber Mining’s logistics division operates a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles, of which more than 265 are Eicher trucks and tippers deployed across its mining and logistics operations. The association with Eicher Trucks and Buses began in 2021, and since then, the partnership has strengthened through consistent performance, reliability, and service excellence. “Our fleet includes a comprehensive range of Eicher vehicles, mining tippers, water sprinklers used in mining operations, 35 KL diesel tankers, and long-haulage tippers,” shared Chadda. Withn the Eicher’s fleet, Calibre operates 108 Eicher Pro 8035XM mining tippers, over 100 units of Eicher Pro 6035T, 6048T, and 6055 models for coal transportation and tip-trailer applications, and more than 50 vehicles deployed for ancillary uses such as water tankers and diesel bowsers.
The partnership took shape with Caliber’s first order of 58 Eicher 8035XM tippers. Encouraged by their performance, the company added another 50–60 units within the next year and a half, taking the total XM fleet to over 150 vehicles. These trucks are operating across Chandrapur and Nagpur in Maharashtra and in the Singrauli belt of Madhya Pradesh, mainly in coal mining operations. Many of these vehicles have already clocked between 15,000 and 16,000 engine hours.
When Eicher introduced its 16-tyre tipper in India, Caliber was the first company to purchase 10 units. “These vehicles have performed exceptionally well in our operations,” remarked Chadda. “Their superior fuel efficiency, robust build quality, and minimal breakdown rates make them a highly reliable choice for demanding mining and logistics applications.”
Operational Excellence with Eicher Support
Caliber’s mining and logistics operations span four WCL mines in Chandrapur and two NCL mines, Jayant and Dudhichua. The company’s Eicher 16-tyre coal tippers operate in Jayant mines, where they have consistently delivered high uptime and performance. Talking about Eicher’s service support, Chadda stated, “Our experience has been outstanding. In our operations at Jayant Mines, we have been using Eicher vehicles for almost two years, and we have not encountered any major issues. The 16- tyre tipper solution from Eicher has been particularly beneficial for us, offering high reliability, excellent performance, and minimal downtime, which has significantly enhanced our operational efficiency.” He further added, “Eicher’s service ecosystem has been a key differentiator. The availability of spare parts is excellent, and the company’s Uptime Centres allow continuous monitoring of our fleet. Through Eicher’s advanced telematics platform, we get detailed analytics on fuel efficiency, running hours, and vehicle health, enabling us to make data-driven maintenance and operational decisions.”
In addition to product reliability, Eicher provides dedicated site support across Caliber’s key mining locations, ensuring continuous operational readiness. With on-ground technical teams and service expertise available round the clock, the collaboration has helped Caliber maintain over 90 per cent uptime across its fleet.
This high availability has played a critical role in enabling smooth operations and timely project completion, even in demanding mining conditions. The Eicher Pro 8035XM range has been instrumental in helping Caliber deliver projects on schedule. The company has successfully completed major assignments such as the Gauri Mines Project and Dhuptala Mines Project using these vehicles. The first batch of 8035XM tippers has now completed over 15,000 engine hours and has been running continuously for more than three years.
Safety and Skill at the Core
The company places strong emphasis on driver welfare, safety, and training. Each mining site has dedicated driver trainers, working in coordination with Eicher’s training teams to ensure best practices in vehicle handling and operational safety. “All our drivers are covered under comprehensive insurance, provided with protective gear such as helmets and jackets, and receive daily safety briefings before each shift,” said Chadda. “We have standardised service intervals, every 500 operating hours for mining vehicles and every 60,000 kilometres for diesel tankers, ensuring that fleet reliability and uptime remain uncompromised.”
Technology-Driven Operations
A key differentiator for Caliber is its integration of technology across operations that is driving industry wide adoption. The company has developed an in-house fleet management software that tracks vehicle movement, fuel performance, and operational metrics on a real-time basis. “We believe that the future of mining and logistics lies in data and technology,” commented Chadda. “Without digital visibility, it is impossible to scale efficiently. Our systems ensure transparency, performance monitoring, and proactive asset management. We have embraced technology at every step, using GPS-based fleet management, realtime tracking, automated weighment systems, and digitally enabled operations to ensure speed, safety, and transparency across all our processes.” The Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) system, branded as “E-Smart Shift,” designed to automate clutch and gear changes in its trucks, like the Pro 8035XM Tipper is testimony of the company embracing technology. This system simplifies operations, and increases productivity by providing an automatic driving mode alongside manual control through a dual mode. In applications like mining, it makes operations easier by reducing driver fatigue.
Caliber works extensively with Coal India, while its logistics operations are closely associated with Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited and GMR Warora Energy Limited. The company provides integrated mining solutions, managing the entire value chain of coal operations. “As a fully integrated service provider, we handle everything related to coal,” explained Chadda. “Mining is our first step; once the coal is extracted, we transport it from the site to the pit, load it into vehicles, and then handle the logistics to our clients, such as GMR and Dhariwal. In short, we deliver end-to-end coal mining and logistics services under one unified system.”
Sustainability and Future Outlook
The company is also exploring alternative fuels and electric mobility. “We already use LNG vehicles in our roadline operations for cement transport,” Chadda noted. “In mining, electric vehicles will become viable once battery swapping solutions are available. In iron ore mining, where operations are downhill, electrification can bring substantial efficiency benefits.” With over 3,800 employees, the company is now aiming for its next phase of expansion. “In the next three to five years, we plan to launch an IPO,” revealed Chadda. “We are currently handling three–four lakh cubic metres per day, and our target is to reach 10 lakh cubic metres per day. We also plan to explore rare earth minerals and underground mining.”
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Chadda shared, “Our father started this business with just 300 feet of roadline, and today, we have over 1,800 vehicles in our group. The evolution from a regional transporter to an integrated mining and logistics company has been remarkable.” He concluded, “Our partnership with Eicher has played a crucial role in this transformation. The vehicles’ uptime, performance, and operational support have given us the confidence to take on larger, more complex projects. Together, we continue to build a future defined by technology, efficiency, and sustained growth.”
