The next tranche of commercial mine auction will be launched this month, Union minister for coal Pralhad Joshi said on Monday though no details were provided.

Speaking at an event to launch a single-window clearance system in coal, Joshi said commercial mining has been made a part of the system now. “The next tranche of commercial mining auction would be launched in January 2021, and further tranches will continue thereafter,” he said.

The previous two-part auction concluded in November where companies submitted bids for 19 of the 38 coal blocks on offer.

Adani Enterprises, Hindalco, Vedanta Ltd, Essel Mining of the Aditya Birla Group and Jindal Steel & Power were among the winners, besides several new and non-mining companies.

On the single-window clearance system, Joshi said, “Earlier, companies were required to approach different departments, leading to a delay in the operationalisation of coal mines. Now, the complete process shall be facilitated through a single-window clearance portal in a phased way.”

Union home minister Amit Shah, who was also present at the event, said the coal sector will play a significant role in the country’s goal to become a $5-trillion economy.

Shah said the successful bidders have been allotted mines under the country’s first commercial coal mining auction. This will give the states an estimated revenue of about Rs 6,500 crore per year and will create more than 70,000 jobs.