India logs highest coal production in 2023-2024

Coal imports also reached a five-year high.

India has reported its highest coal production in the past five years, reaching 997.828 million tonnes (MT) in 2023-2024 which was up 11.71% from a year earlier.

Data from the Ministry of Coal also showed that coal imports in 2023-2024 reached 261.001 (MT), up 9.82% and the highest in five years. 

India is aiming to be self-sufficient in coal production. It wants to increase domestic production of coal and to eliminate non-essential imports of coal in the country. 

Some of the steps the government has taken to increase local production include regular reviews by the coal ministry to expedite the development of coal blocks, and the enactment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2021 that permits captive mine owners in India to sell up to half of their annual mineral output, including coal, in the open market after fulfilling the needs of the linked end-use plant and paying additional fees as mandated by the central government.

To increase domestic coal usage and decrease reliance on imports, the government has also rolled out measures, which include increasing the allowed coal quantity for power plants to 100% of the required amount, previously reduced to 90% (non-coastal) and 70% (coastal). 

India expects its coal demand to increase to about 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-2030.