Coal Ministry Reviews Production from Allocated Mines under Commercial Auction
Shri. M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, chaired a high level meeting to review the status of “producing and expected to produce” captive and commercial coal mines held here on 03.01.2024. During the meeting, he appreciated the efforts of all the allottees for the commendable increase in coal production and advised them to put in further efforts to achieve the committed coal production targets of FY 2023-24. The Additional Secretary further impressed upon the allottees to take necessary steps to operationalize the coal blocks that are in advanced stages of operationalization.
As of 31st December 2023, 50 captive/commercial coal mines are under production out of which 32 mines are allocated to the power sector, 11 to non-regulated sector and seven mines are allocated for sale of coal. Within three and half years after the commencement of commercial coal mines auction in 2020, six mines with a cumulative peak rated capacity (PRC) of 14.87 million tonne (MT) have already started production.
In December 2023, the total coal production from captive and commercial coal mines was 14.04 MT, up by 38% from 10.14 MT in the same month of the previous year. At the same time, the total coal dispatched from captive and commercial coal mines was 13.32 MT, up by 39% from 9.58 MT in December 2022. The average daily coal dispatch in the month of December 2023 is 4.3 lakh tonne per day.
Coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal blocks has shown a remarkable growth during the period of 1st April to 31st December 2023. The total coal production from captive & commercial coal mines during the period 1st April 2023 to 31st December 2023 was around 98 MT, while the total coal dispatch was 103 MT indicating a y-o-y growth of 26% and 32% respectively, from the same period of FY 2022-23. The highest increase in coal production was from the Non-Regulated Sector and Commercial coal mines with a growth of 98% and 101% respectively.
The Ministry of Coal is committed to maintaining this momentum, striving to achieve ambitious production and dispatch targets. By securing a steady supply of coal, the Ministry aims to safeguard India’s energy future and fuel the economic growth further.