Coal buyers in India are paying 300% premiums to secure fuel

Indian coal prices have surged in auctions held by the country’s state-run miner, with domestic buyers rushing to secure supplies as global disruptions push up the cost of imported fuels.

Customers paid Coal India Ltd. an average premium of more than 340% above baseline prices in two sales this month, according to people familiar with the results, who requested anonymity as they are not permitted to speak publicly. That compares to premiums of about 100% in auctions in January. 

Coal India, the world’s top producer of the fuel, sells about 15% to 20% of its output through an online auction