The government on Tuesday said it has amended rules with a view to allow 50 per cent sale of coal from captive mines.

The move is likely to help over 100 captive coal and lignite blocks with an over 500 million tonnes per annum peak rated capacity as well as all coal and lignite bearing states.

“The ministry of coal has amended the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to allow sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 per cent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine,” the coal ministry said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act had been amended to this effect. This is applicable for both the private and public sector captive mines.

With this amendment, the government has paved the way to release additional coal in the market through greater utilisation of mining capacities of captive coal and lignite blocks, which were only partly utilised because of limited production of coal to meet their captive needs.

The availability of additional coal will ease pressure on power plants and will also aid in import-substitution of coal. The allowance for sale in the prescribed quantity of coal or lignite shall also motivate the lessees to enhance the production from the mines.

Further, additional premium amount, royalty and other statutory payments in respect of the quantity of coal or lignite sold shall boost the revenue of the state governments.

The government has also made provisions for grant of mining lease to a government company or corporation for coal or lignite for a period of 50 years.

Grant of mining leases for a period of 50 years shall boost seamless continuous production of coal or lignite by the government companies or corporations contributing to the coal/lignite security of the nation.

The said period can be extended by 20 years at a time upon an application made to the state government.

Therefore, an increase in the period of mining leases shall reduce multiplicity of applications for extensions, thereby ensuring continuity in mining operations.