Coal Industry

Five companies bid for coal blocks for the first time as the 14th round of commercial coal auctions drew 49 bids for 24 blocks, signalling continued private interest in mining

November's 1.8% uptick follows 1st contraction in 15 mths; infra demand revs up steel, cement

From the market listings of two subsidiaries of state-owned CIL to a surge in funding for ambitious coal gasification projects, the coal sector braces for a whirlwind of activities in 2026 that could redefine energy security amid the global push for cleaner fuels. With ambitious mining reforms, surging global demand for critical minerals, and the government's push, 2026 is likely to fuel the green energy boom, promising to unearth not just resources but also boost economic powerhouses. As India races toward its ambitious Viksit Bharat@2047 goals, the Centre is rolling out sweeping reforms in the coal and mining sector to bolster national energy security. These changes target key pain points like cumbersome approval processes, inefficient dispatch mechanisms, and safety protocols, aiming to create a resilient, self-reliant energy ecosystem. The initiatives will accelerate clean energy adoption, reduce import dependence, and ensure a stable power supply for a USD 30 trillion economy

The share of coal in India's energy mix will shrink to 30-35 per cent by 2047, and responsible use of the fossil fuel is key to future development, experts said. The coal's share in India's electricity mix is currently at 70 per cent. India achieved over one billion tonnes of coal production in FY25, with coal-based power contributing 72 per cent to total electricity generation. Former chairman and managing director of Coal India Ltd, P M Prasad, said that over the coming three to four decades, the priority must be slashing emissions and rolling out best practices wherever feasible. "By 2047, coal's share is expected to come down from the current levels to around 30-35 per cent. We understand that. But as long as that 35 per cent remains, we must develop responsibly," said Prasad, currently the Chairman of the India Chapter of FutureCoal - the global alliance for sustainable coal. The India Chapter, launched with Coal India Limited and Gainwell Engineering as founding members, ...

Sairam has over 35 years of experience in the coal sector, spanning mine operations, planning, logistics and regulatory affairs

Coal has been closely tied to the Communist Party's history and to its efforts to transform China's economy over the past decades

This is the first time coal linkages are being opened without end-use restrictions. It is aimed at expanding access to domestic coal, improving resource utilisation and reducing import dependence

The policy will allow companies to export up to 50 per cent of coal, highlighting that India has sufficient domestic production of coal

A parliamentary standing committee has flagged delays of up to nearly three years in environmental and forest clearances for coal mining projects

The proposal, currently under discussion between the power ministry and the government's policy making agency NITI Aayog, marks a major shift

State-owned CIL's coal production dropped by 3.7 per cent to 453.5 million tonnes (MT) in the April-November period of the current financial year, even as the government is taking several steps to ramp up domestic output and bring down the reliance on imports. Coal India Ltd (CIL), which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output, produced 471 MT of fossil fuel in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. However, the company's production rose by 1.2 per cent to 68 MT during the last month, over 67.2 MT in November last fiscal. In the financial year 2024-25, CIL produced 781.1 MT of coal, nearly 7 per cent below the company's target for the year. Coal India Ltd's coal production target for 2024-25 was 838 million tonnes. The company is targeting a production of 875 million tonnes and an offtake of 900 MT in the 2025-26 financial year. Coal India Ltd had earlier said that it would aspire to reach its production target of 875 MT in the current fiscal year. Coal

The coal ministry has revised and simplified the approval process for exploration programmes and geological reports related to coal and lignite blocks, a move aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and giving a fillip to efficient and sustainable exploration. The new process does not require a go-ahead from the government panel set up in 2022 for this purpose. "The Ministry of Coal has reviewed the earlier methodology and simplified the mechanism for approval of exploration programs and Geological Reports (GRs) for coal and lignite blocks prepared by Notified Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) accredited by QCI-NABET and peer-reviewed by another such APA," a statement from the ministry said. The country's increasing energy requirements demand faster, more efficient, and technologically robust exploration of coal and lignite resources. In line with this national imperative, the coal ministry continues to introduce progressive reforms that enhance transparency, strengthen priv

According to MOFSL, the proposed 5-10 mt/annum coal-to-SNG plant marks a strategic pivot that may improve PLFs, boost energy security, and potentially create new revenue streams.

The Coal Ministry has auctioned three fully explored blocks with 3.3 billion tonnes of reserves and 49 mt annual capacity, attracting Rs 7,350 crore investment and boosting commercial mining momentum

Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday said market study with regard to listing of Coal India arms BCCL and CMPDI is underway and their listing will take place at the right time. A few months back Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Coal Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) filed draft red herring prospectus with capital markets regulator SEBI, as well as BSE and NSE, for its proposed initial public offering. Talking to reporters during the inauguration of mines ministry pavilion at India International Trade Fair (IITF) here the minister said, "We are doing market study and after doing that we will go for listing at the right time." "As our experts, consulting agencies are doing market study, we will go for it after they take a decision on it," he added. The minister also said that he reviewed the performance of all PSUs in the coal sector on Thursday. He also said there is sufficient coal available for all the sectors including power and as the demand for coal surges, the ...

Newly appointed Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman Sanoj Kr Jha called for an "overhaul" of the state-run miner's business model and systems. He also emphasised on emerging production methods, stressing that the organisation must adapt swiftly to stay relevant amid the global shift towards renewable energy. "The world is not the same as it was 50 years ago, when coal was the primary source of energy. Renewable energy and many other competitors have come up," Jha said while addressing employees and stakeholders during CIL's 50th anniversary celebration in Kolkata on Saturday, marking his first day in the organisation. Jha, who is also Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, said the sector is at a "turning point" and must evolve beyond traditional methods of operation. "We have to change our entire system, all of our current business models, and the method of production. The minister constantly reminds us that Coal India and all PSUs must come out of the mindset that they can .

The draft rules for the country's proposed coal exchange will be finalised by the end of November after examining feedback received from the public, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said on Thursday. "The draft coal exchange rules are in the public domain. Comments have come, and we are examining those. The rules will be finalised by the end of November," Dutt told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Mining Congress here. The proposed coal exchange aims to bring transparency, efficiency and a market-driven mechanism to domestic coal trading. According to the draft rules, the coal controller organisation (CCO) will be appointed to register and regulate the coal exchanges to be established in the country. The Ministry of Coal had invited comments from stakeholders by mid-October. On the disinvestment front, Dutt said the process for Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL) has made significant progress. "We have moved ahead in this

Stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments on draft rules mandating pilot feasibility studies, real-time groundwater tracking, and escrow funds for UCG mine closure

NCC Ltd on Saturday said it has bagged a Rs 6,828.94 crore order from Coal India arm Central Coalfields to extract and transport coal and overburden from one of the mining projects in Jharkhand. In a regulatory filing, the company said it has received a letter of acceptance dated October 24 from Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) regarding this. The extraction and transportation of overburden and coal will have to be done from the Amrapali open-cast project of CCL in the Chandragupt area of Jharkhand, NCC said in the regulatory filing. NCC will hire Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) for the removal of 413.59 M CuM of OB (overburden), extraction of 233.325 MT coal and transportation to Shivpur siding and surface stock yard under different lead slabs and wagon loading of 139.995 MT of coal at Shivpur siding at Amrapali OCP, Chandragupt Area, the filing said. NCC Ltd is a construction company involved in diversified activities, including buildings, transportation, water and environment, .

Total revenue from commercial coal mines projected at ₹37,700 crore annually as three new blocks are vested under the latest round of coal auctions