India: SECL’s 10 October e-auction sees firm bidding across selected coal grades

• Selected G8 and G11 sources attract premiums above 250%
• Kusmunda OC G11 records the highest premium at 322.7%

South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (SECL) allocated 547,650 t in its e-auction held on 10 October 2026, with winning prices varying significantly across mine-grade combinations. Kusmunda OC G11 attracted the highest premium at 322.7%, followed by Dhelwadih UG G8 at 270.1% and Amlai OC G8 at 253.6%. G8 sources recorded strong premiums, while G11 prices varied across major open-cast mines. The auction also covered G5, G6, G7 and G13 grades, reflecting differing buyer interest across coal sources.

Grade-wise auction results

G8 sources attract strong premiums

G8 recorded substantial premiums across the three sources offered. Dhelwadih UG recorded the highest winning price among these sources at INR 7,148/t, representing a 270.1% premium over the notified price of INR 1,931/t. Amlai OC Annexure B followed at INR 6,828/t, with a 253.6% premium, while Rajendra UG recorded INR 6,343/t and a 228.5% premium.

G11 bidding varies sharply across open-cast mines

Kusmunda OC G11 recorded a winning price of INR 5,005/t, the highest premium in the auction at 322.7% over the notified price of INR 1,184/t. Gevra OC G11 secured INR 2,626/t, carrying a 121.8% premium, while Dipka OC G11 was allocated at INR 2,421/t, a 104.5% premium. Despite sharing the same grade and notified price, winning prices differed considerably across the three mines.

Comparison with the 26 September auction

The 26 September auction recorded premiums of 254.0% at Beherabandh UG G8, 245.1% at Rajnagar OC G8 and 207.7% at Jhilmili UG G8. In the latest auction, G8 premiums ranged from 228.5% at Rajendra UG to 270.1% at Dhelwadih UG. These figures indicate strong bidding across selected G8 sources, but the differences in mines.

Buyer participation

Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. (BALCO) was the largest buyer, securing 196,000 t, comprising 112,000 t of G11 and 84,000 t of G13. Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd. followed with 44,000 t across G11, G7 and G5, while Utkal Alumina International Ltd. secured 36,000 t of G11. Agarwal Coal Corporation Pvt. Ltd. purchased 29,000 t across G11, G13, G6 and G5.

Phil Coal Benefication Pvt. Ltd. and Raipur Coal Feeder Pvt. Ltd. each secured 20,000 t of G11. Hindalco Industries’ Renusagar Power Division, Renukoot and Mahan Aluminium Project each purchased 20,000 t of G11. ACC Ltd. secured 15,850 t of G8.

Overall, the 10 October auction recorded strong premiums for selected sources, particularly Kusmunda OC G11 and Dhelwadih UG G8. The wide variation in winning prices across mines offering the same grade highlighted the importance of source-specific demand in determining auction outcomes.