The Indian government aims to produce 170 million tonnes (mnt) of coal from captive and commercial coal mines in April 2024-March 2025 (FY’25). M. Nagaraju, additional secretary of coal, reviewed the coal output target in a meeting participated by representatives from 74 coal mines, expressing confidence in achieving the set target.
India’s captive and commercial mines produced 147.12 mnt of coal over FY’24, rising 26.8% from 116 mnt in FY’23. Captive mines of power and non-power sector accounted for 121.3 mnt and 8.40 mnt, respectively, while commercial mines contributed 17.50 mnt.
This move will play a prominent role in enhancing India’s domestic coal production and reducing its reliance on imported coal and ensuring energy security amid ongoing surge in power demand. During the April-March period of FY’24, the country’s coal import increased to 264.2 mnt from 245.8 mnt in the corresponding period of the previous year.