147 Coal Mines Auctioned, 44 New Companies Join Commercial Coal Mining Sector

New Delhi, Sep 14 (KNN) Commercial coal mine auctions have resulted in 147 coal mines being auctioned since 2020, with 44 new companies securing coal mines, while combined coal production from captive and commercial blocks reached around 210 million tonnes (MT) in FY 2025-26.

The auctioned coal blocks are spread across nine states and are projected to generate around Rs 47,500 crore in annual revenue, along with approximately Rs 55,000 crore in capital investment and 4.9 lakh jobs.

Coal production from commercial mines increased from 12.55 MT in FY 2023-24 to 23.51 MT in FY 2024-25. Combined production from captive and commercial blocks stood at around 210 MT in FY 2025-26, compared with 28.8 MT a decade earlier, representing a compound annual growth rate of about 22 per cent.

The auction regime has also seen participation from public sector coal producers. Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), subsidiaries of Coal India, have participated as bidders in recent auction rounds alongside private companies.

In FY 2025-26, allocated commercial mines generated about Rs 3,090 crore through upfront and premium payments. Auctioned blocks also contribute to state revenues through revenue share, royalty, DMF, NMET contributions and GST.

(KNN Bureau)