Ministry of Coal Forecasts Substantial Growth in Production

New Delhi, Jan 8 (KNN) The Ministry of Coal has set a target to exclusively produce 186.63 million tonnes of coal from captive/commercial mines in the fiscal year 2024-25, as per the current ministry plans.

This production is projected to increase to 225.69 million tonnes in FY 2025-26, with further plans to reach a production target of 383.56 million tonnes by FY 2029-30.

According to the Ministry's most recent data as of December 31, 2023, there are 50 captive/commercial coal mines in production. Out of these, 32 mines are allocated to the power sector, 11 to the non-regulated sector, and seven are designated for coal sales.

Remarkably, within three and a half years since the initiation of the Commercial Coal Mines Auction in 2020, six mines with a combined peak rated capacity (PRC) of 14.87 million tonnes (MT) have already commenced production.

In December 2023, the aggregate coal production from captive and commercial coal mines reached 14.04 million tonnes, marking a substantial 38 per cent increase from the 10.14 million tonnes recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal blocks exhibited significant growth during the period from April 1 to December 31, 2023.

The combined coal production from captive and commercial coal mines in this period reached 98 million tonnes.

(KNN Bureau)