The Ministry of Coal has set a goal to produce 186.63 million tonnes of coal from captive/commercial coal mines in the financial year 2024-25. They plan to increase this production to 225.69 million tonnes in 2025-26 and aim to reach 383.56 million tonnes by 2029-30.
As of December 31, 2023, there are 50 captive/commercial coal mines in operation. Of these, 32 mines are allocated to the power sector, 11 to the de-regulated sector, and seven to coal sales.
Since the start of commercial coal mine auctions in 2020, six mines have begun production, with a total peak rated capacity of 14.87 million tonnes.
In December 2023, the total coal production from captive and commercial coal mines was 14.04 million tonnes, a 38% increase from 10.14 million tonnes in the same month the previous year.
From April 1 to December 31, 2023, there was a significant increase in coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal blocks. The total coal production during this period was 98 million tonnes.
Coal production increases, auctions successful
The Coal Ministry reported significant growth in coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal blocks from April 1 to December 31, 2023. During this period, the total coal production was 98 million tonnes (MT).
The Ministry also shared that of the 91 mines auctioned to date, six commercial mines have started coal production, and three more are expected to begin production soon.
These 91 coal mines are projected to bring in an investment of Rs 33,343 crore and create three lakh jobs, considering a production level of 220.90 million tonnes per annum at peak rate capacity.
The government has completed seven rounds of auctions through a fully transparent online process initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.
The 9th round of auctions, launched in December 2023, offered 31 coal mines from four states for bidding. These mines are located in the coal/lignite-rich states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
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