B Prabhakaran is the owner and the managing director of Thriveni Earthmovers Private Limited. It is India's largest MDO, handling 40 MTPA Run of Mine, including coal, iron ore, limestone, bauxite, copper, lignite and graphite with group turnover of INR 2456.667 Crore for the year 2017–2018. He is also a trained private pilot license holder, having flown the Cessna-152, Cessna-172,gulfstream - g450and Pilatus PC12 aircraft. In recognition of successful entrepreneur and his significant contribution in transforming the lives of people in mining regions and beyond, Mr.B. Prabhakaran was named "PSG Distinguished Alumini 2019" at PSG & SONS Charities 93rd Founder's Day held on 25 Jan 2019 in Coimbatore.
Early life
Born in 1973, B. Prabhakaran is the son of Palanivelu Balasubramanian and B. Vasuki. His family was from a farming community. He completed his graduation from Coimbatore, then went on to found Thriveni Earth Movers Private Limited.
Business career
Under his leadership, Thriveni has been operational for over 25 years in the mining industry. The company is India's largest mining MDO accredited with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2009 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 with 50 MTPA capacity in India with around 6,000 employees and over 300 clientele. The company has one billion tons of mineral reserves. They specialize in mine management, production, maintenance and contract mining ventures, offering a high level of expertise in contract excavation and hauling, mineral processing, stationary/mobile screening and crushing. The business verticals that they serve are MDO in Iron Ore, Coal Mining at Indonesia, MDO in Coal Mining in India, Leasing Large Scale Equipments, Investment in Gold Assets, Contract Mining and Aggregates Division.
1993-2000
Thriveni had seen a breakthrough in contract business and earned a good name in the mining industry. Between 1993 and 2000, the company worked with big names in the industry, including India Cements Ltd, L&T, L&T ECC, Madras Aluminium Co, Alagappa Cements, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, and Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited. In 2000, the company won the Breakwater Project “Seabird” as a joint venture project of Indian Navy, L&T and Hochtief. 2004-2007 Thriveni, under the leadership of Prabhakaran attempted to win a mining contract in a difficult terrain of Orissa. The areas mainly include Tata Steel mines in Joda, Keonjhar Orissa, R P Sao & KJSA mine in Keonjhar district, and a crushing contract from Orissa Mineral Corporation. In 2005, the company was awarded ISO certification. In 2006, Prabhakaran started the commercial Aggregate Project. In 2007, Thriveni mining went beyond India to Mozambique and Indonesia.
2008 onwards
Between 2008 and 2010, the company started as MDO in three Iron mine D R Pattanaik group and Seerajuddin Mines. In 2010, Samara Capital invested in the company to integrate all business process and implement SAP across all functions. In 2011, Thriveni won the FICCI CSR award for work on corporate social responsibility. In 2012 and 2013, the company made a record handling 42 MTA Run of mine, the highest in iron ore mining. He started the Jharkhand operations in 2013 at NKPK mine and later got a contract at SMCO mine. In 2014, he started the operations in Kapypee Mine. During this time, B Prabhakaran has grown the company from US$5 Million to US$200 Million company.
Personal life
B Prabhkaran is married to Kiruthika Prabhakaran and has a son, Sooryanarayan Prabhakaran. Sooryanarayan currently studies in PSG tech, Coimbatore. He is originally from Salem, Tamil Nadu but has lived in Barabil - Bhadrasai area in Keonjhar, Orissa. His wife, Kiruthika, is also involved in the business and mainly takes care of employee accommodation, health, education of children, food and other daily necessities which is a huge challenge in the remote mining area. He has been involved in some initiatives to improve and support rural tribal areas.=
Initiatives
TISA
Thriveni Industrial Security Academy is an initiative started in October 2010 targeting unemployed youth. So far, 600+ local young residents have been trained and employed by the academy. These students have joined Indian Army, CPMF, State Police, Fire Services or different technical stream of mines/industries. This initiative was awarded an appreciation plaque for commendable work and exemplary innovation in CSR at the Business World FICCI CSR Award 2011–12.
Vocational training
Keonjhar is a socially backward tribal area of Orissa. B Prabhakaran supported women of the region with training on skills like driving, tailoring, beekeeping and mushroom cultivation. He encouraged new entrepreneurs by donating tipper to fifty unemployed youths some of them now have purchased 2nd or 3rd trucks.
Healthcare and relief work
Thriveni has established a health care network in 175 villages with dispensaries, a pathology lab, ambulances for emergency, medical camps, treating more than 14,000 patients. The company provides free meals to the attendant of poor patients admitted in Keonjhar dist hospital and other remote tribal areas. B Prabhakaran was instrumental in creating an old age home for destitute senior citizens - “Anandashram”. It provides free food, clothing, accommodations, medical care and recreational facilities for the old residents. Prabhakaran's company steps in to help victims of natural calamities, like Orissa Flood in 2011, Phailin in 2013 and also donated a sum of Rs. 31 lacs to CM's relief fund for flood victims on Uttarakhand in 2013.
Education
The company established a CBSE English medium school, the Thriveni Public School. It also strengthened the hands of Adivasi vikash samiti run by the social worker Padmashri Tulsi Munda. The company is also assisting Vidya Bhawan, Dig Darshan School and Seva Foundation.
Infrastructure
The company has provided drinking water to 35 villages, laid 32 km of roads and constructed four bridges.
