State-run miner Coal India Ltd (CIL) continued its robust performance in terms of coal production in April 2024. CIL’s production rose by 7% y-o-y to 61.8 million tonnes (mnt) in April 2024 as against 57.6 mnt in April 2023.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) achieved the highest coal output at 16 mnt in April 2024, up by around 9.8% as compared to 14.6 mnt in April 2023, followed by SECL at 14.1 mnt, largely stable y-o-y. Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) produced 3.9 mnt in April 2024, surged by nearly 24.3% as against 3.2 mnt in April 2023.
CIL dispatches up by 3% in Apr’24
During the month, coal dispatches posted rise of 3.2% y-o-y to 64.3 mnt in April 2024 as compared with 62.3 mnt in April 2023.
MCL’s coal dispatches stood at 17.2 mnt in April 2024, up by 8.2% as compared to 15.9 mnt in April 2023, followed by SECL at 15.6 mnt, up by 7.5% as against 14.5 mnt in April 2023. The total coal dispatch at NCL was recorded at 11.4 mnt for April 2024, down 2.1% as against 11.6 mnt a year ago.
Govt aims for 170 mnt coal production target in FY’25
The Indian government aims to produce 170 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 by 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.