Ministry Launches 10th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions with 67 Mines on Offer

The Ministry has implemented various reforms aimed at accelerating the growth of the coal sector to meet the nation's energy demands effectively.

Today, the Ministry of Coal initiated the 10th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions, marking a significant step towards bolstering India's coal sector. The launch event, held in Hyderabad and presided over by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, and Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines.

This tranche offers a total of 67 coal mines located across several states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, and Telangana. Among these are both fully explored and partially explored mines, with three specifically designated for coking coal.

The Ministry has implemented various reforms aimed at accelerating the growth of the coal sector to meet the nation's energy demands effectively. Notably, mines located in protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, critical habitats, and areas with dense habitation have been excluded to ensure environmental sustainability and operational feasibility.

In his address, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy underscored the pivotal role of coal in supporting industrial operations and emphasized its contribution towards achieving India's ambitious economic targets, including the goal of a 5 trillion-dollar economy. He urged coal entrepreneurs to collaborate towards national development and reduce dependency on coal imports, thereby advancing the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka commended the Ministry's efforts in enhancing self-sufficiency in the coal sector and reducing foreign imports, highlighting the sector's critical role in meeting the nation's energy needs.

Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey assured prospective coal block allocatees of improved support and ease of doing business, soliciting feedback from industry players to enhance the sector's attractiveness. He reiterated the importance of coal mining in India's journey towards self-reliance in coal production.

Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, emphasized the need for increased coal production to meet rising energy demands while maintaining high standards of safety and environmental sustainability. He stressed the importance of transparency and state-level support to facilitate a conducive business environment and attract investments.

Shri M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority of the Ministry of Coal, highlighted the surging demand for coal and emphasized the role of private investment and expertise in achieving production targets. He emphasized the Ministry's commitment to exploring more coal blocks and fostering private participation to ensure steady coal supply to industries.

The auction process, commencing from June 21, 2024, will be conducted online through a transparent two-stage process based on Percentage Revenue Share. Detailed information regarding the mines, auction terms, timelines, and tender documents can be accessed on the MSTC auction platform and the Ministry of Coal's official website.