Page 3 - Saket Kumar

Govt expands definition of indigenous tech under gasification scheme

The Ministry of Coal allows foreign-collaborated technologies adapted in India to qualify as indigenous under the coal and lignite gasification incentive scheme

Centre sets timelines to speed up work on auctioned mineral blocks

The amendment sets clear milestones between the issuance of the letter of intent (LoI) and the execution of mining leases, with penalties for delays and incentives for early production

Mines ministry unlikely to cap bid premium in critical mineral auctions

The mines ministry rules out any move to limit bid premiums for critical minerals, even as aggressive offers raise questions over their commercial viability

Centre unveils first State Mining Index to boost reforms in mineral sector

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat lead in the first State Mining Readiness Index, as the Centre benchmarks States to boost mining reforms and sustainable practices

Centre reclassifies limestone as major mineral amid rising industrial use

The move, effective October 10, 2025, follows NITI Aayog's panel advice and brings limestone under central regulation as its use grows in large industries

Centre to intensify advance-level exploration of critical mineral blocks

The government is also planning to launch a single-window clearance portal for mining projects by December, which will expedite the mining project execution, including that of critical minerals

Govt floats draft Coal Mines Employees Provident Fund Bill for discussion

The Coal Ministry's draft Bill seeks to replace the 1948 law, modernise the provident fund framework, and align miners' welfare schemes with new labour codes

Mines ministry proposes lowering bidder threshold for mineral auctions

The Ministry of Mines has proposed amendments to allow mineral block auctions to proceed with two technically qualified bidders instead of three to improve success rates

Coal ministry pushes early completion of critical evacuation projects

During the meeting, the coal companies informed the ministry's additional secretary about various issues related to land acquisition, forest clearances, and compensation for landowners

Govt to launch ₹8,500 cr scheme, coal block policy for gasification

The government will roll out an Rs 8,500 crore incentive scheme and a dedicated coal block allocation framework to promote gasification, with private and foreign players showing interest

Imported coal may feature on proposed coal exchange for trading, says CIL

Coal India wants imported coal to be traded on the proposed coal exchange to improve price discovery and transparency while supplementing existing auction platforms

Power cost to drop 17-18 paise per unit as GST Council scraps coal cess

The GST Council's decision to remove the Rs 400 coal cess will lower electricity generation costs, ease liquidity for coal companies and make domestic coal more competitive

Govt plans to bring in mechanism to curb irrational bidding by companies

It has been observed that such behaviour either distorts the bidding process and its price discovery function or lead to project delays when non-serious players bag contracts

Critical mineral M&A falls 39% in 2024 as lithium prices, demand cool

PwC report says M&A in critical minerals dropped sharply in 2024 as lithium prices plunged, supply fears eased and governments tightened scrutiny on strategic resources

Steel ministry clears ₹5,000 cr scheme to boost low-emission operations

The steel ministry has approved a Rs 5,000 crore scheme to promote low-emission steel, with 80% of funds directed to the secondary sector and incentives linked to emission cuts

Coal India hikes mine fatality ex gratia to ₹25 lakh, adds salary plan

Coal India raised ex gratia for mine fatalities to Rs 25 lakh and launched a salary package with Rs 1 crore accident cover for regular staff and Rs 40 lakh for contract workers

Mines ministry launches sixth critical minerals auction, PSU welfare plan

The mines ministry launched the sixth tranche of critical minerals auction for 23 blocks across 13 states and announced Rs 1 crore insurance cover for PSU miners

Vedanta CEO warns US tariffs risk slowing global energy transition

Vedanta CEO Deshnee Naidoo cautioned that US tariffs could slow global decarbonisation, stressing India must prioritise critical minerals and domestic value chains

Govt to auction 23 critical mineral blocks in sixth tranche on Tuesday

The Centre will launch the sixth tranche of auctions for critical and strategic minerals on Tuesday, offering 23 blocks and announcing the first set of bidders for exploration licences

Aluminium industry needs policy support for next phase of growth: Hindalco

Hindalco and Vedanta executives said policy support, innovation and investment will be critical as India's aluminium demand is set to multiply, driven by urbanisation and industry needs