India’s coal production up nearly 15% in June

Over 80 million tonnes were produced.

The Ministry of Coal reported a 14.49% increase in India’s coal production in June as the government boosts efforts to be self-reliant in the energy domain. 

Latest data showed that coal production for June 2024 reached 84.63 million tonnes (MT), up from last year’s 73.92 MT. 

In the same period, Coal India Limited (CIL) achieved coal production of 63.10 MT, up 8.87%  from last year’s 57.96 MT. Additionally, coal production by captive/others in June 2024 stood at 16.03 MT, which grew 55.49% from 10.31 MT a year ago, the ministry said.

The government also reported coal despatches totaled 85.76 MT, increasing by 10.15% from last year’s 77.86 MT. 

CIL dispatched 64.10 MT of coal, increasing 5.41% from a year ago’s 60.81 MT. Dispatch by captive/others in June also grew 43.84% to 16.26 MT from last year’s 11.30 MT.

As on 30 June, the ministry said coal stock held by coal companies grew 41.68 % to 95.02 MT. Coal stock at thermal power plants also grew 30.15% to 46.70 MT in the same period. 

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Shri M. Nagaraju recently chaired a meeting to review the status of “producing and expected to produce” and “Non-Operational” captive and commercial coal mines.

Allottees were told to intensify efforts to achieve India’s coal production targets for fiscal year 2024-2025. They were also ordered to take steps to operationalise coal blocks that are in advanced stages of operationalisation. 

As of end-June, 54 captive/commercial coal mines are under production, of which 32 are allocated to the power sector, 12 to non-regulated sectors, and 10 mines are allocated for sale of coal. Eleven mines are expected to commence production in fiscal year 2025. 

Production of coal from these mines as on date is 39.53 MT, which was up 35%.

Sixty-five non-operational coal blocks are in various stages of obtaining regulatory clearances. These are located across nine states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal.