Coal Ministry

Centre simplifies approval process for exploration of coal, lignite

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

Govt notifies 18 private agencies to fast track coal, lignite exploration

New accreditations aim to cut delays, give allottees more choice and speed up coal and lignite mine development

Coal Ministry auctions three coal blocks in 13th commercial round

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

Govt invites applications for quality audit as Coal Exchange takes shape

Coal ministry has issued an RFQ to empanel third-party agencies for sampling and quality audits for coal and lignite traded on the upcoming Coal Exchange, marking a key regulatory step in the rollout

Coal Ministry to launch 14th mine auction, unveil digital portals

The 14th round introduces Underground Coal Gasification for the first time and launches digital platforms CLAMP and Koyla Shakti to boost transparency and efficiency

CoalMin proposes escrow fund for underground coal gasification blocks

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

Coal Ministry issues vesting orders for three new commercial mines

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

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

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

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

Govt to soon auction blocks with coal gasification potential: Official

The government will soon put up for sale coal blocks that have potential for coal gasification, a senior official said on Friday. The development assumes significance in the wake of the government's plan to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal in the next five years. "Very soon we would auction the coal blocks that have potential for coal gasification," Coal Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar said on the sidelines of the roadshow on coal gasification jointly organised by the coal ministry and Ficci. Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into a synthetic gas (syngas), a mixture of gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen, by reacting it with oxygen and steam at high temperatures. This syngas can then be used to produce various downstream products, including fertilizers, methanol, and synthetic natural gas, offering a cleaner and more diversified use of coal compared to traditional burning. These coal blocks would be put up for sale under the commercial coal mining auction,

Ministry issues draft rules allowing CCO to regulate proposed coal exchange

The government has come out with draft rules to form an organisation to regulate the functioning of the proposed coal exchange that will facilitate the trading of coal as a commodity. The proposed Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) will be a subordinate office of the coal ministry. Its responsibilities include coal mine closure activities to ensure environmental sustainability, collecting and disseminating coal statistics, inspecting collieries, issuing directives on coal grades, and acting as an appellate authority for grade-related disputes. "Ministry of coal proposes to appoint the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) to register and regulate the coal exchange(s) to be established in the country," says the draft coal exchange rules, 2025 on which the ministry has invited comments from stakeholders by mid-October. The operations of the coal exchange would broadly be government by the regulations made by CCO. The draft further said that the recent policy reforms in the coal sector h

Govt to boost rare earth magnet output via PLI scheme, private sector push

The Centre has initiated PLI schemes, which offer financial incentives tied directly to measurable outcomes and have been designed to boost domestic manufacturing

Coal Ministry to launch digital module for faster, transparent clearances

Exploration Module under SWCS to go live on July 4, allowing coal block allottees to submit proposals, track approvals and manage compliance documents digitally

Coal India production drops by 8.5% in June, targets production of 875 MT

State-owned CIL on Tuesday said coal production dropped by 8.5 per cent to 57.8 million tonnes (MT) in June even as the government aims to increase the output to reduce the dependency on imports. The coal production by the PSU was 63.1 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal, Coal India Ltd (CIL) said in a regulatory filing. The coal output by the PSU in the first three months of the current fiscal also dropped to 183.3 MT, over 189.3 MT produced in the April-June period of the previous financial year. The company, however, did not give a reason for the decline in coal production. According to industry analysts, coal production usually faces hindrances during the monsoon season. As a result the output from mines is lower, which consequently affects the dispatch to power plants. Coal offtake by the PSU also dropped by 7.4 per cent to 60.4 MT in the month of June, over 65.2 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal. Coal offtake refers to the amount of coal

Northeast can be national model for sustainable mining: G Kishan Reddy

At a conclave in Guwahati, G Kishan Reddy said the Northeast can lead India's sustainable mining drive as Centre backs real-time enforcement and resource mapping

Coal Ministry opens bids for 12th round of commercial coal block auction

In the 12th round, 38 bids were received for eight blocks. Separately, three blocks under the second attempt of the 11th round received one bid each

Coal ministry to auction 25 commercial mines in FY26 to boost output

The auctions aim to expand coal production capacity, replace depleted mines and ensure long-term energy security as India targets net zero via diversification

India's coal production increases 3.63% to 81.57 MT in April

Both coal production and dispatch witnessed steady growth in April 2025, compared to the same period last year, the coal ministry has said