The Ministry of Coal successfully concluded the 12th round of commercial coal block auctions, with seven coal blocks awarded through forward auctions held between July 28 and July 31. This round included three fully explored and four partially explored blocks, with a cumulative geological reserve of approximately 1,761.49 million tonnes.
The peak rated capacity (PRC) of the fully explored blocks stands at 5.25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), and the auctions witnessed robust participation, yielding an average revenue share of 26.70%. This reflects the sustained investor confidence in India’s coal sector, bolstered by the Ministry’s transparent and investor-friendly policy approach.
The seven blocks auctioned in this round are expected to generate annual revenue of approximately ₹719.90 crore (excluding partially explored blocks) and attract capital investments worth ₹787.50 crore. The development of these mines is projected to create about 7,098 jobs in coal-bearing areas, contributing to regional development and employment generation.
Since the launch of commercial coal mining in 2020, a total of 131 coal blocks have been successfully auctioned, with an annual production capacity of 277.31 MTPA. Upon becoming operational, these blocks are expected to generate ₹39,359 crore in annual revenue, attract ₹41,597 crore in capital investment, and create nearly 3.75 lakh employment opportunities.
The Ministry emphasized that these developments underscore its commitment to transforming the coal sector into a cornerstone of India’s energy security and economic self-reliance. By increasing domestic coal production and reducing import dependence, the government aims to realize the vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ while addressing the nation’s growing energy needs.