Is the Government Set to Unveil the Next Phase of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Ministry of Coal is set to launch its 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions, offering an array of coal blocks for bidding. This round introduces innovative digital platforms and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the coal sector.
Key Takeaways
- 14th round of coal mine auctions to be launched on Wednesday.
- Introduction of Underground Coal Gasification provisions.
- Launch of CLAMP and Koyla Shakti Portals.
- Focus on enhancing transparency and efficiency in the coal sector.
- Support for Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
New Delhi, Oct 28 (NationPress) The Ministry of Coal has revealed plans to initiate the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions this Wednesday. This auction will present an array of fully explored and partially explored coal blocks available for bidding, targeting seasoned miners, newcomers, and tech-savvy enterprises.
For the first time, the Ministry will incorporate provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) within the auction framework. UCG is a strategic move aimed at tapping into India’s extensive coal reserves that are typically unmineable using traditional techniques.
This groundbreaking initiative is projected to lessen reliance on imported natural gas and crude oil, while simultaneously opening doors for investments, technological innovations, and job creation in related industries, as stated in an official announcement.
In line with the 'Digital India' initiative, the Ministry of Coal will also unveil two significant digital platforms—the CLAMP and Koyla Shakti Portals—during this event.
The Coal Land Acquisition, Management, and Payment (CLAMP) Portal is a comprehensive digital tool crafted to optimize and digitize the processes surrounding land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) in the coal industry. It acts as a centralized repository for land records and supports real-time data integration and monitoring across coal public sector undertakings (PSUs).
By digitizing the entire process from land detail uploads to compensation payments, this portal enhances transparency, accountability, and inter-agency coordination, while reducing procedural delays and eliminating data redundancies, according to the statement.
The Koyla Shakti Dashboard is an innovative digital platform designed to transform the coal industry by promoting transparency, efficiency, and real-time coordination. It unifies the entire coal value chain from mine to market, facilitating collaboration among coal companies, railways, ports, and end-users.
As a comprehensive decision-support system, Koyla Shakti will enable data-driven governance, optimize logistics, and enhance supply chain management. This pivotal development is set to serve as the digital backbone of India’s coal sector, aligning with the principles of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as elaborated in the statement.
The launch of the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions signifies a significant step forward in promoting transparency, competition, and self-reliance within India’s coal industry.
Since its inception in 2020, the commercial coal mine auction process, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has attracted substantial interest from both established and emerging industry participants. It has been instrumental in expediting domestic coal production and ensuring a consistent supply to satisfy the nation’s increasing energy requirements.
The upcoming round presents coal mines under highly favorable conditions to facilitate ease of doing business, draw diverse investments, and encourage broader industry engagement. The commercial auction framework has revamped the coal sector by fostering transparency, stimulating competition, and enhancing coal availability for domestic industries, thereby curbing import dependence and supporting the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the official statement concluded.
Point of View
I believe that the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Coal to enhance transparency and competition in the coal sector are commendable. The integration of digital platforms and new technologies showcases a commitment to modernizing the industry, which is essential for meeting India's growing energy demands.
NationPress
29/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the 14th round of coal mine auctions?
The 14th round aims to offer fully explored and partially explored coal blocks for bidding, targeting both seasoned miners and new entrants, while enhancing transparency and competition in the coal sector.
What is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)?
UCG is a strategic initiative to utilize India’s deep coal reserves that are typically unmineable through conventional methods, aiming to reduce reliance on imported resources.
What are the benefits of the CLAMP Portal?
The CLAMP Portal streamlines land acquisition processes, enhances transparency, and improves coordination among various stakeholders in the coal sector.
How will the Koyla Shakti Dashboard benefit the coal industry?
The Koyla Shakti Dashboard integrates the entire coal value chain, enabling real-time coordination and enhancing logistics and supply chain management.
How does this auction process support Aatmanirbhar Bharat?
By fostering transparency and encouraging wider industry participation, the auction process contributes to reducing import dependence and enhancing self-reliance in the coal sector.
