Coal production from captive sources could reach a high of 130 million tonnes in 2022-33 with the government stepping up auction of coal blocks for commercial production.

Production from captive mines was 89.57 million tonnes in 2021-22, up 29.47 per cent from 69.18 million tonnes in 2020-21. Captive sources comprised 11.52 per cent of the country’s total production of 777.23 million tonnes.

Speaking at the 9th edition of the Asian Mining Congress organised by the Mining, Geological and Metallurgical Institute of India in Calcutta, Union coal secretary Anil Kumar Jain said coal sourced from captive sources could comprise 25-30 per cent of the country’s total coal supply. “In FY23, we are looking forward to 130mt of coal production coming from captive sources,” said Jain.

Trading platform

The coal ministry is also working on a trading platform where private coal mining companies can sell their coal with regulatory oversight. The platform is expected to take shape in the next 6-9 months.