Coal output from captive mines crosses 200 MT mark: government

The Ministry of Coal on Tuesday convened a high-level stakeholder consultation to accelerate domestic coal production, with a focus on faster mine development, policy reforms, and strengthening India’s energy security.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, who attended the meeting as chief guest, called for moving beyond incremental changes to achieve the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He stressed the need for end-to-end reforms across the coal value chain, including exploration, auctions, clearances, operations, financing, and scientific mine closure.

Highlighting the guiding approach of “Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform,” the minister said systemic bottlenecks must be removed to improve efficiency and ensure seamless functioning from mine development to closure. He also underlined the importance of regular stakeholder consultations in shaping responsive and inclusive policymaking.

The minister emphasised promoting coal gasification to better utilise domestic resources and noted that private sector participation in coal production is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fast-tracking production through coordinated efforts and sustained policy support.

Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said ongoing policy-driven reforms have made the sector more transparent, competitive, and efficient, while improving ease of doing business and regulatory clarity. He highlighted key initiatives such as commercial coal mining, the Single Window Clearance System, and digital reforms as drivers of faster mine operationalisation and improved resource extraction.

During the consultation, Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar said coal production from captive and commercial mines has crossed 200 million tonnes for the first time in the current financial year. She added that production from these mines has recorded a compound annual growth rate of nearly 30 per cent between FY 2021 and FY 2025.

She also outlined reforms aimed at expediting mine operationalisation, including simplification of exploration processes, quicker approval of mining plans, and streamlined environmental and forest clearances. Measures to promote underground coal mining through incentives, technological adoption, and operational efficiency were also highlighted.

The consultation brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and industry experts to discuss policy frameworks, operational challenges, and opportunities in the coal sector. The discussions concluded with a focus on strengthening collaboration, promoting innovation, and ensuring effective implementation of reforms.

The Ministry said the initiative aligns with the broader objective of reducing import dependence, boosting domestic output, and building a sustainable, efficient, and future-ready coal sector to meet India’s growing energy needs.