A high-level meeting chaired by Shri. M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority at the Ministry of Coal, recently convened to review the status of captive and commercial coal mines’ production. The meeting, held on 3rd January 2024, applauded the commendable efforts of allottees in augmenting coal production. Shri. Nagaraju urged continued efforts to achieve the committed coal production targets for the fiscal year 2023-24. Moreover, he emphasized the operationalization of coal blocks in advanced stages.
As of 31st December 2023, 50 captive/commercial coal mines are in production. Among these, 32 mines cater to the power sector, 11 serve the non-regulated sector, and seven are allocated for coal sale. Notably, within three and a half years since the commencement of commercial coal mines auctions in 2020, six mines with a cumulative peak rated capacity (PRC) of 14.87 million tonnes (MT) have initiated production.
December 2023 witnessed significant growth in coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal mines. Coal production stood at 14.04 MT, marking a notable surge of 38% compared to 10.14 MT in the corresponding month of the previous year. Concurrently, coal dispatch rose to 13.32 MT, showing a 39% increase from 9.58 MT in December 2022. The average daily coal dispatch for December 2023 reached 4.3 lakh tonnes per day.
The cumulative coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal mines displayed remarkable growth from 1st April to 31st December 2023. During this period, coal production reached around 98 MT, while coal dispatch amounted to 103 MT. This indicates a year-on-year growth of 26% and 32%, respectively, compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year 2022-23. Notably, the non-regulated sector and commercial coal mines showed the highest increase in coal production with growth rates of 98% and 101%, respectively.
The Ministry of Coal is resolutely committed to sustaining this momentum and achieving ambitious production and dispatch targets. This concerted effort aims to ensure a consistent supply of coal, crucial for India’s energy security and to further fuel the country’s economic growth.
The progress in coal production and dispatch from captive and commercial coal mines underscores the Ministry’s dedication to optimizing resources and fostering a robust energy ecosystem for the nation’s sustainable growth and development.