The Ministry of Coal on Thursday announced the launch of auction for 41 coal mines under the latest round of commercial coal mining, aimed at enhancing domestic coal production and reducing import dependence.
The mines on offer are spread across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra, with a mix of fully explored and partially explored blocks. According to the ministry, these mines collectively hold an estimated reserves of over 10 billion tonnes, offering significant potential for commercial mining.
Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said the auction is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure energy security and support India’s growing industrial demand. “Our goal is to make India self-reliant in coal production. This round of auction will further attract private investments and create employment opportunities in mining regions,” he said.
The auction will be conducted through an online transparent bidding process, with flexibility for bidders in terms of production schedules and pricing mechanisms. The ministry has also introduced incentives for early production and simplified clearance procedures to encourage faster operationalization of the allotted blocks.
India’s coal demand has surged in recent years, driven by the power, steel, and cement sectors. With these new auctions, the government aims to bridge the supply gap and support the target of achieving 1.5 billion tonnes of coal production by FY2030