This initiative aims to enhance domestic coal availability while promoting sustainable mining practices, including the reopening of discontinued mines
The Coal Ministry has initiated steps to re-launch discontinued mines under a Revenue Sharing Model. This initiative aims to optimise the utilisation of the nation’s coal resources to enhance domestic coal availability and efficient utilisation of existing coal resources.
In line with these efforts, sustainable practices have been adopted across Coal/Lignite mines. These include plantation/ bio-reclamation, mine water utilisation for community use, development of eco-parks and the adoption of energy efficiency measures have been taken to promote environmental sustainability in Coal/Lignite mines.
Coal India Limited (CIL) has undertaken a variety of measures to boost coal production across its operations. In its Underground (UG) mines, CIL is implementing Mass Production Technologies (MPT), primarily using Continuous Miners (CMs), wherever feasible.
Additionally, CIL plans to develop Highwall (HW) mines, leveraging the availability of abandoned or discontinued mines. Large capacity UG mines are also planned in suitable locations to further enhance production capabilities. In its Opencast (OC) mines, CIL already has State-of-the-Art technology in its high-capacity Excavators, Dumpers and Surface Miners.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is the main source for supply of coal to the southern region. The company produced 67.14 million tonnes of coal during 2022-23 as against 65.02 MT during the same period of previous year. SCCL production of coal during 2023-24 was 70.02 MT with a positive growth of 4.30 per cent. Small quantities of coal are also produced by TISCO, IISCO, DVC and others.
Regular liaison is being undertaken by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for grounding of new projects and operation of existing projects. SCCL has initiated action for developing infrastructure for evacuation of coal like Coal Handling Plants (CHPs), Crushers, Mobile Crushers, Pre-weigh-bins etc.
Through sustained programme of investment and greater thrust on application of modern technologies, it has been possible to raise the All India production of coal at 893.19 million tonnes in 2022-23. The all India Production of coal during 2023-24 was 997.83 MT with a positive growth of 11.71 per cent.
CIL and its subsidiaries accounted for a substantial portion of this production, producing 703.20 MT in 2022-23, compared to 622.63 MT in 2021-22—a growth of 12.94 per cent. CIL's production in 2023-24 rose to 773.81 MT, showing a 10.04 per cent increase.
SCCL, which primarily serves the southern region, produced 67.14 MT in 2022-23, up from 65.02 MT in the previous year. In 2023-24, SCCL’s coal production grew by 4.30 per cent, reaching 70.02 MT.
In addition to CIL and SCCL, smaller quantities of coal are produced by companies such as TISCO, IISCO, DVC, and others, contributing to India's overall coal output.