How Many Coal Blocks Were Successfully Auctioned in the 12th Round?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Seven coal blocks successfully auctioned.
- Expected annual revenue of Rs 719.90 crore.
- Creation of 7,098 jobs.
- Combined geological reserve of 1,761.49 million tonnes.
- Aiming for self-reliance in the coal sector.
New Delhi, Aug 1 (NationPress) In an impressive move, the government announced on Friday that a total of seven coal blocks have been successfully auctioned, which includes three fully explored and four partially explored blocks. These auctions are projected to generate an annual revenue of approximately Rs 719.90 crore (excluding the partially explored blocks), with a potential capital investment of around Rs 787.50 crore, leading to the creation of 7,098 job opportunities.
The Coal Ministry initiated the 12th round of coal block auctions for commercial mining on March 27. The auctions, conducted from July 28 to July 31, successfully secured a total of seven coal blocks.
These blocks together possess a geological reserve estimated at 1,761.49 million tonnes. The cumulative Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of these blocks is recorded at 5.25 MTPA (excluding partially explored blocks), as per the ministry's report.
The auction process was marked by fierce competition, achieving an average revenue share of 26.70 percent, as highlighted in the official statement.
Since the commencement of commercial coal mining in 2020, a total of 131 coal blocks have been auctioned with a production capacity of 277.31 million tonnes annually.
When operational, these blocks are expected to significantly contribute to boosting domestic coal production and enhancing the country's self-reliance in the coal sector.
In total, these blocks are anticipated to generate an annual revenue of Rs 39,359 crore, attract a capital investment of Rs 41,597 crore, and provide employment for 374,916 individuals in coal-producing regions.
Moreover, India's overall coal production has already exceeded the 1 billion tonnes (BT) milestone in the financial year 2024-25. The coal output target for the country's leading company, Coal India Limited (CIL), aims to surpass 1 billion tonnes by 2026-27. CIL produced 781.07 million tonnes in 2024-25, with the target for 2026-27 set at 1,004.00 billion tonnes.
Most of the coal demand in the country is satisfied through domestic production.