The Ministry of Coal on Wednesday launched the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts toward energy self-sufficiency, clean technology adoption, and sustainable industrial growth. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the auction round through video conferencing, joined by Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, senior ministry officials, industry representatives, and key stakeholders from across the coal sector.
In this round, 41 coal mines have been offered for auction, including 21 blocks with potential for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) — a first-of-its-kind provision in India’s commercial mining framework. Of these, 20 mines are fully explored and 21 are partially explored, offering investors a balanced portfolio of opportunities. The list includes five mines under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, and 36 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Speaking at the launch, Minister G. Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a “defining moment” in India’s journey toward energy independence and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing that the government’s reform agenda has transformed the coal sector from “reform to perform, and from perform to transform.” He noted that 133 coal mines have already been successfully auctioned across 12 previous rounds, with a peak rated capacity of 276 million tonnes per annum.
Reddy highlighted that Underground Coal Gasification, being promoted for the first time, represents a major technological shift in coal utilization. Nearly 40% of India’s coal reserves lie deep underground, beyond the reach of traditional mining methods, making UCG a key innovation for the future. The Minister informed that pilot UCG projects are exempted from environmental clearance under guidelines from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), ensuring faster project rollout.
He urged private players, academia, and public institutions to collaborate under a “Whole-of-Government Approach” to accelerate India’s coal gasification mission, which would help reduce import dependency and promote cleaner energy production.
Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt underscored the Ministry’s focus on reforms, transparency, and digital integration across the coal value chain. “With a futuristic approach, we aim to elevate reforms to drive faster, cleaner, and more efficient coal production—especially in underground mining,” he said. Dutt reiterated that initiatives like Koyla Shakti and CLAMP Portals are enabling a data-driven, transparent, and accountable coal ecosystem.
Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, noted that the 13th Round of Coal Mine Auctions witnessed enthusiastic participation and strong investor confidence, reflecting the success of policy reforms that promote competitiveness, sustainability, and self-reliance. She said the 14th round represents “an evolution” — integrating cutting-edge technology, digital platforms, and data-driven processes to ensure efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of coal mining.
Additional Secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha highlighted that commercial coal mining remains central to achieving energy security and the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, adding that the Ministry’s continuous emphasis on transparency and technology is transforming India’s coal sector into a future-ready, sustainable industry.
