New Delhi, 5 Dec. : Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched the 11th round of Commercial Coal Mine auctions today with a total of 27 coal blocks on offer at New Delhi.
These 27 coal blocks are spread across the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh and include both fully explored and partially explored mines including 1 coking coal mine.
The Ministry has also executed 9 agreements with successful bidders of 10th round of auctions. These mines upon operationalisation will generate Annual Revenue of Rs. 1,446 crores calculated at PRC of these coal mines and will provide employment to approximately 19,000 people.
The Ministry of Coal has taken a series of reforms to ensure that the coal sector grows at a rapid pace and is able to meet the country’s energy needs. For 11th round also, Mines falling under protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, critical habitats, having forest cover greater than 40%, heavily built-up area etc. have been excluded. The block boundaries of some of the coal mines where there was presence of dense habitation, high green cover or critical infrastructure etc. have been revised to improve the attractiveness of the coal mines.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, emphasized that coal remains the cornerstone of India’s energy landscape, asserting that power generation is unimaginable without it. He highlighted the transformative impact of coal block auctions in achieving energy security, fostering self-reliance, and reducing dependency on imports. Urging industry players to participate enthusiastically in 11th round of auctions, he called for collective contributions toward realizing the vision of an energy-independent Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Minister, Shri Reddy reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to boost domestic coal production to meet the nation’s energy demand. The Minister further reiterated the Government’s commitment to uplift local communities, emphasizing that coal auctions and mining activities go beyond economic growth.
They also aim to empower communities by creating employment opportunities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing education and healthcare in coal mining regions. Shri Reddy expressed confidence that these reforms would position India as a global leader in sustainable mining practices while ensuring energy security.
He also highlighted the Government of India’s Financial Incentive Scheme with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore to promote Coal and Lignite Gasification projects. This initiative, he noted, is a pivotal step toward achieving India’s ambitious target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030. By encouraging cleaner and more efficient technologies, the scheme aims to reduce reliance on imported natural gas, lower carbon emissions, and pave the way for sustainable energy development.
In his keynote address, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal highlighted the crucial role of policy reforms in creating an ecosystem that encourages innovation, reduces production costs, and meets the growing energy demands of the nation without compromising on environmental standards.
Shri Dutt stressed that these reforms are designed to not only enhance coal production but also align the sector with India’s broader goal of achieving energy self-reliance and sustainable development. He further emphasised on inter-ministerial collaboration, particularly with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Steel. He underscored how such cooperation facilitates the harmonization of policies, streamlines processes, and addresses sectoral challenges more effectively, enabling a balanced approach to energy security and environmental stewardship. Secretary, also spoke about the modernization efforts that are reshaping the sector, leveraging advanced technology to improve productivity, worker safety, and environmental management.
He underscored the pivotal role of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects in expediting coal evacuation, ensuring efficient transportation, and reducing environmental impact. These initiatives, he stated, are crucial in driving the sector toward modernization and greater operational efficiency.
The Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Smt. Rupinder Brar highlighted the need to explore more coal block as there is surging demand of coal. He stressed that leveraging private investment and expertise is crucial for meeting the growing energy needs and ensuring steady coal supply to various industries. By opening more coal blocks for exploration and encouraging private participation will contribute the coal sector in achieving higher production targets.
The commencement of sale of tender document shall start from today i.e. December 05, 2024. Details of the mines, auction terms, timelines etc. can be accessed on MSTC auction platform. The auction shall be held online through a transparent two stage process, on the basis of Percentage Revenue Share.
