Page 5 - Coal Industry

'Twenty coal mines likely to become operational by end of this year'

Twenty coal mines are likely to become operational by the end of this year, an official source said. This assumes significance with peak power demand in the country likely to cross 400 GW by 2030. These 20 coal blocks which include seven blocks of state-owned Coal India and three blocks of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will contribute another 100 million tonnes (MT) in three to four years, the source said. Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output. SCCL is a government coal mining company jointly owned by the Telangana government and the Centre on a 51:49 equity basis. The country has for the first time crossed the milestone of 1 billion tonnes of coal and lignite production in 2023-24, Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi had said. The country is not very far from its next target to eliminate coal imports by 2025-26, he had said. The country's total coal and lignite output was 937 MT in the 2022-23 fiscal year, as per official figures. In FY24

Domestic coal import rises 13% in Feb to 21.64 MT ahead of summer

India's coal import rose by 13 per cent to 21.64 million tonnes (MT) in February as some buyers took fresh positions to replenish stocks ahead of summer, according to online marketplace mjunction. The country's coal import was 19.15 MT in the corresponding month of FY23. "Coal imports in February 2024 were up by 13 per cent as against 19.15 MT in February 2023," as per the data compiled by mjunction. Of the total import in February, non-coking coal import increased to 13.77 MT compared to 11.68 MT imported in the year-ago period. "Coking coal volume was 4.56 MT, against 4.40 MT imported in February 2023," it said. The country's coal import also went up to 244.27 MT in the April-February period of FY24 over 227.93 MT in the year-ago period, the online marketplace said. During the April-February period of FY24, non-coking coal import was at 160.63 MT, higher than 148.58 MT imported in the same period of FY23. Coking coal import was at 51.87 MT during the April-February period of F

Vedanta commences mining operations in Goa's Bicholim mineral block

Vedanta on Thursday said it has commenced mining operations at Bicholim mineral block in Goa. The mining in Goa came to a grinding halt in March 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases. "Heralding a new era of inclusive development, Vedanta Sesa Goa commenced mining operations at Bicholim Mineral Block- Block 1 in the state of Goa," the company said in a statement. Vedanta Limited had in 2022 emerged as a successful bidder for the mining block which was auctioned. Vedanta was the highest bidder with 63.55 per cent revenue for Bicholim Mining Block, spread over 485 hectares. According to the company, Bicholim Mineral Block is the first auctioned mine to become operational since 2018, when the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on mining in the coastal state. "Vedanta Sesa Goa's commencement of its operations in Goa's Bicholim Mineral Block signify a new chapter of collaboration between Vedanta and the state of Goa, reinforcing a shared vision for progress and prospe

Private captive, commercial coal mines cross 140 MT production in FY24

Out of the total production of 147.2 MT, the power sector captive mines produced around 121.3 MT, captive mines of the non-power sector produced 8.4 MT

Captive, commercial coal blocks output surged 27% to 147 MT in FY24: Joshi

Captive and commercial coal blocks produced 147 million tonne coal in financial year 2023-24, registering a year-on-year growth of 27 per cent, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. The mines had produced 116 MT coal during 2022-23. Out of 147.2 MT, power sector captive mines produced around 121.3 MT, non-power sector mines produced 8.4 MT and the production from commercial mines was 17.5 MT, Joshi said in a post on X. The production from power sector captive mines in FY24 rose 19 per cent as compared to the previous year. In non-power captive mines, the production growth was 63 per cent year-on-year. Output from commercial coal mines registered the highest year-on-year growth of 93 per cent in FY24. Dispatch from the mines during FY24 was 143 MT as against 110 MT in FY23. A total of 9 new coal mines commenced production during FY24 which includes 4 captive mines and 5 commercial mines. "The Ministry extends its appreciation to all stakeholders for their dedication and

PowerMin reviews electricity supply situation as summer comes knocking

Thermal stations to defer maintenance, gas-based units might be asked to run mandatorily

CIL's FY24 production jumps 10% as stock gets a fillip ahead of summer

The jump in coal production comes at a time when the country is preparing for a record high power demand expected due to extreme heat this summer

Coal India's output increases 10% to 773.6 million tonnes in FY24

Coal India Ltd on Monday said it produced 773.6 million tonnes of the dry fuel in the 2023-24 fiscal, registering a 10-per cent growth over the previous year. However, it fell short of the target by 6.4 million tonnes or nearly two days of production. "This is the first time the company has recorded double-digit growth in two successive years since its inception. In volume terms, the output expanded by 70.4 million tonnes, the second-highest ever," a company statement said. The output of two subsidiaries Northern Coalfields Ltd and Western Coalfields Ltd failed to maintain momentum, registering a growth of 12.5 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively, in March compared to the corresponding period a year ago. This dragged the overall March growth of CIL's production rate down to 6.1 per cent. The overall coal production of 88.6 million tonnes in March 2024 was the highest ever for any month till date, the statement said. While all the miner's coal-producing arms recorded positive

Coal, lignite production hits all-time high of 1 bn tonnes in FY24: Joshi

The country has for the first time crossed the milestone of 1 billion tonnes of coal and lignite production in the financial year 2023-24, Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday. India's total coal and lignite output was at 937 million tonnes (MT) in the preceding 2022-23 fiscal, as per official figures. "Proud to share that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we have registered a stellar achievement by crossing 1 billion tonne (BT) coal and lignite production," Joshi said. It is a historic moment for India as the country has achieved the highest-ever production, and it will go a long way in ensuring energy security to the nation. The continuous efforts to increase domestic coal production has ensured that going forward the country will never have to face coal shortage, the minister said. Joshi further said, "I thank the officials of the sector, all the coal warriors and private miners for their grit and hard work in helping achieve mission-1BT. Owing to y

Coal India likely to report production of around 773.7 MT in FY24

Coal India Ltd is likely to report production of around 773.7 million tonnes (MT) for the 2023-24 fiscal, which will be close to a 10-per cent growth over last year, company sources said. However, it is expected to fall short of the target of 780 million tonnes. Coal offtake is expected to stay restricted to 753 million tonnes, nearly 90 per cent of the target of 780 million tonnes, they said. The miner will announce its production and offtake numbers later on Monday. The company's dry fuel supplies to thermal power plants touched the 610.8-million tonne mark on Wednesday, surpassing the target for this sector. Coal India Chairman P M Prasad in a recent investor concall projected a shortfall in the wake of some land-related production hurdle in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. All other subsidiaries, however, topped its targets. The largest coal producer in the world registered its highest-ever production of 703.2 MT in the 2022-23 fiscal. The target for the next fiscal year has be

Coal PSUs must plan pithead-based thermal projects, says Coal Secy Meena

The Coal Ministry has asked Coal India Ltd and NLC India Ltd to go for pithead-based thermal projects with an aim to reduce transportation cost and improve availability of dry fuel, a top government official said. The plan is that all new thermal projects of Coal India Ltd (CIL) and NLC India Ltd should come up near the coal mines, Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena told PTI. This will reduce the dependence on transportation, which is mostly through rail and road, and make the coal accessible for usage in power generation, he said, while replying to a question on new projects of coal PSUs, the official said. The move will also reduce logistics cost and cost of power generation, he said, listing the benefits of a pithead-based unit. Coal India has signed an agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (RUVNL) for a joint venture to set up 4,100 megawatt of power generation capacity in Rajasthan, Meena said. Of this 1,725 MW will be pithead-based capacity, 200 MW pumped storage, 50 win

Ministry to ensure 874 mn tonne coal supply for power sector in FY25: Joshi

The coal ministry is geared up to meet 874 million tonnes of anticipated coal demand for the power sector in 2024-25, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. For the financial year ending March 31, the Power Ministry had placed a requirement of 821 million tonnes, Joshi told PTI on the sidelines of the release of the 'PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in Coal Sector' booklet. Their (power ministry's) demand has been met. They had asked for 821 million tonnes and it has been supplied, the Minister said. "For FY25, the power ministry has asked for 874 million tonnes of coal. We will fulfil this requirement also. We are going to cross 1 billion tonne coal production by this March," he said. The share of imported coal for blending purposes has gone down this fiscal compared to last financial year, Joshi said. In FY24, coal import for blending was around 22.20 million tonnes, while it was at 30.80 million tonnes in the financial year 2022-23, he said. Savings to the tune of

Results of 9th round of coal auctions may be announced within two weeks

As many as 32 coal mines were put into action in the 9th round

Analysts see more steam in power stocks as India eyes harsh summer

Coal reserves at power plants have also surged by 15 days to 43 million tonnes, marking the highest level in nearly three and a half years

Coal India production hits record 703.91 MT this fiscal until March 7

Production of Coal India Ltd hit a record 703.91 million tonnes (MT) in this fiscal until March 7, surpassing the last fiscal's output of 703.20 MT, the Coal Ministry said on Friday. Highlighting that several key measures were implemented to enhance production, the ministry said Coal India maintains an ample stock of 72.70 MT as of 7th March 2024. "Coal India Limited (CIL) has achieved a record production of 703.91 million tonnes of coal up to 7th March 2024 during the current fiscal, surpassing last financial year's production of 703.20 MT by an impressive margin of 26 days," the ministry said in a release. Adoption of the Mine Developer and Operator model, mechanization and modernization of CIL mines, both Underground & Opencast, undertaking new projects, expanding existing projects, have bolstered coal production, it said. The ministry in a separate release stated that the domestic coal sector registered a growth of 10.2 per cent in January. The index of the coal industry ...

Inter-ministerial committee pitches for higher tax on coal imports

Recommends rationalising GST compensation cess on coal

Continue importing 6% of coal needs till June, govt tells gencos

Logistical challenges, higher power demand nudge govt to extend import mandate

Govt extends mandate for power producers to import 6% of coal needs

Coal accounts for about 75% of India's power generation, with coal-fired plants accounting for more than three quarters of India's use of the polluting fuel

Private Indian firms look to bet big on coal-fired power after long absence

The potential investments, which have not been previously reported, could cumulatively cost billions of dollars and demonstrate renewed appetite in an industry seen by many as financially unattractive

WBPDCL not debarred illegally to participate in auctions: Coal Ministry

The Centre on Monday refuted media reports that West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited was illegally barred by the Coal Ministry from participating in an auction for coal mines located in West Bengal. "An article has been published in a section of media alleging that the Union Government illegally barred West Bengal from coal auctions, benefiting a corporate. "It is alleged that the Coal Ministry disqualified West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) from participating in the auction of West Bengal-based coal mines considering WBPDCL as a prior allottee and has not paid additional levy within the prescribed time," the Ministry of Coal said in a statement. The allegations made in the article are incorrect and baseless, the ministry said. Coal mines are allocated through auction to government and private companies and through allotment only to government companies, it added. As per Section 4(4) of the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Act, if the prior allot