Ministry of Coal Reviews Operational and Upcoming Captive/Commercial Coal Mines

In a strategic move to reinforce India’s energy security and maintain the momentum of coal sector reforms, the Ministry of Coal recently conducted a comprehensive review meeting of operational and upcoming captive and commercial coal mines on April 9, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Smt. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, and saw the participation of nearly 70 mine allottees, including major industry players such as NTPC Ltd., Adani Power, Hindalco Industries Ltd., Jindal Steel and Power Ltd., and WBPDCL.

Recognition of Progress and Commitment to Reform

Smt. Brar commended the proactive efforts of mine allottees, acknowledging their vital role in boosting India’s domestic coal production. She emphasized that the transformation witnessed in the coal mining sector over the past decade has been a result of strong collaboration between the government and private stakeholders. Captive and commercial coal mines now account for nearly 20% of the country’s total coal output, a significant milestone in India’s journey towards energy self-reliance.

Production and Dispatch Surge

The Ministry highlighted impressive year-over-year growth in coal production and dispatch:

• Coal production rose by 29.79%, increasing from 147.12 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2023-24 to 190.95 MT in FY 2024-25.

• Coal dispatch witnessed a 33.36% jump, climbing from 142.79 MT to 190.42 MT during the same period.

These figures reflect the growing contribution of captive and commercial mines to India’s overall coal supply chain and its efforts to reduce import dependency.

Operational Overview

Out of the 79 coal blocks reviewed:

• 61 mines are producing coal

• 8 mines are operational but yet to start production

• 10 mines remain non-operational

Among the producing mines:

• 38 have been allotted to the power sector

• 11 cater to the non-regulated sector

• 12 are designated for coal sale

Ministry’s Support and Forward-Looking Strategy

Smt. Brar urged allottees to put in their best efforts to secure statutory clearances within the desired timelines and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to provide full support throughout the process. She encouraged companies to directly approach the Nominated Authority for assistance and reiterated the importance of achieving their committed production targets for FY 2025–26.

To foster deeper collaboration, she announced an interactive workshop aimed at accelerating project implementation and sharing sectoral best practices. This event will serve as a platform for idea exchange and strengthening of partnerships between the government and private players.

Interactive Session and Industry Feedback

The session included a dynamic exchange of ideas, where mine allottees shared updates on their production strategies, discussed operational challenges, and proposed actionable suggestions to increase efficiency. Discussions focused on:

• Proactive planning

• Use of advanced technologies

• Expedited statutory clearances

• Adoption of best mining practices

The Ministry emphasized the need for timely project execution, strategic resource utilization, and continuous innovation to meet rising demand.