India Reports 34.2% Surge in Coal Production from Captive and Commercial Mines During April-December
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) The cumulative coal output from India’s captive and commercial mining operations soared by 34.2%, hitting 131.05 million tonnes (MT) from April 1 to December 31, 2024, up from 97.665 MT during the same period in the previous year, as reported by the Coal Ministry on Thursday.
December 2024 recorded the highest monthly coal production from both captive and commercial mines, yielding 18.40 MT of coal that month. This remarkable feat surpassed all prior records, achieving a daily average production of 0.594 MT, representing a 30.75% increase from the daily average of 0.445 MT in December 2023, according to the official announcement.
In a similar vein, coal dispatches from captive and commercial mines reached an unprecedented level in December 2024, with 17.67 MT of coal dispatched that month. This marks a 33.20% rise from the daily average of 0.426 MT in December 2023, culminating in a daily average dispatch of 0.570 MT.
The total coal dispatch from these mines between April 1 and December 31, 2024, amounted to 137.34 MT, reflecting a 33.95% increase from 102.53 MT during the corresponding period last year.
The introduction of commercial mining aimed to bolster investment and improve technology within the mining sector.
The Ministry of Coal successfully auctioned an additional 9 mines in November 2024 as part of the 10th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions.
These mines are projected to generate an annual revenue of approximately Rs 1,446 crore, attract a capital investment of around Rs 2,115 crore, and create 19,063 jobs.
The nine mines collectively possess a geological reserve of about 3,998.73 million tonnes. The cumulative Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of these mines is 14.10 MTPA, excluding partially explored coal mines, as per the official statement.
Of these coal mines, three are located in Jharkhand, while two each are situated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
The Ministry of Coal initiated the 10th round of auctions for commercial mining on June 21, 2024. In this round, a total of nine coal mines were successfully auctioned, consisting of three fully explored and six partially explored coal mines.
The auctions experienced intense competition, resulting in an average revenue share of 17.44%. This underscores the persistent interest from industries in the coal sector, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to providing a stable and transparent policy environment, as noted in the statement.
Since the launch of commercial coal mining in 2020, 113 coal mines have been auctioned, with a production capacity of 257.60 million tonnes annually. Once operational, these mines will significantly enhance domestic coal production and contribute to the nation’s self-sufficiency in the coal sector.
Collectively, these mines are expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs 35,437 crore, attract a capital investment of Rs 38,641 crore, and provide employment for 3,48,268 individuals in coal-rich regions, according to the statement.
