Union Minister of Coal, Pralhad Joshi, urged the public sector undertakings (PSUs) to compete with the private sector in coal mine auction and early production. Addressing the National Coal Conclave & Exhibition-2022, the minister pointed out that despite unprecedented increase in international prices, Coal India Ltd (CIL) did not increase domestic coal price and stepped-up coal production substantially in the recent past and managed to overcome coal shortage faced by thermal power plants.
Joshi said that 64 coal mines have been successfully auctioned so far under commercial auctioning launched in 2020. The minister added that all efforts are in full swing to stop import of thermal coal by 2024 and incentives are being given for early production of coal under commercial auctioning. Highlighting healthy performance by CIL, the minister said that captive mines are likely to produce 125-million-ton (MT) coal this year.
During the conclave, the Ministry of Coal has executed agreements with 10 successful bidders of coal mines under sale of coal of 15th tranche and second attempt of 13th and 14th tranche. The mines for which Coal Mine/ Block Production and Development Agreements executed are Kasta (East), Marki Barka, Barra, Koyagudem Block III, Maiki North, Alaknanda, Basantpur, Bandha North, Marki Mangli IV and Jitpur. The successful bidders include Jitusol Developers Private Limited, Birla Corporation Limited, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited, Auro Coal Private Limited, Maiki South Mining Private Limited, Rungta Sons Private Limited, Gangaramchak Mining Private Limited, Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited, Sobhagya Mercantile Limited and Terri Mining Private Limited.
The total annual revenue generation from these 10 coal mines is estimated at ₹1,077.67 crore, considering production at aggregated Peak Rate Capacity level of 10.39 million ton per annum. Once fully operational, these mines are expected to generate employment for 14,047 persons directly and indirectly. Total investment of ₹1,558.50 crore will be expended to operationalise the mines. The winning percentage revenue share for these mines ranges from 5% to 15.75% with an average percentage revenue share of 6.48%.
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Coal, Indian National Committee World Mining Congress has organised the first ever National Coal Conclave & Exhibition – 2022 on the theme ‘Indian coal sector-sustainable mining towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Focus area of the technical sessions and debates centred around three major subjects of fuel self-sufficiency in power sector, Aatmnirbharata in steel making for coal and technology & sustainability.
The fascinating and informative exhibition showcased the initiatives of coal mining sector for induction of technology, sustainable development, IT initiative, best practices in mining safety etc. Latest technologies and IT enabled tools used by Indian coal mining sector were also on display.
