Coal news and updates

30 coal blocks in state awaiting clearances: State mines director

Ranchi: State mines director Shashi Ranjan on Monday said 30 coal blocks in Jharkhand are in the pipeline, awaiting various stages of clearances.
Speaking at the third Jharkhand Mining Summit, organized by the Jharkhand chapter of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries at a city hotel, Ranjan said, “Jharkhand has roughly 40% of the country’s mineral reserves.

You name any mineral and we have it here. There are 30 coal blocks in the pipeline and awaiting various stages of clearances. New coal reserves are emerging. We have come to know that Asia’s thickest coal seam is in Latehar and Chatra. Coal reserves have been found in Pakur and Dumka. In the coming years, Dumka and Pakur would become the next Dhanbad.”
According to the Union ministry of coal, Jharkhand had a coal reserve of 87.84 billion tons, second only to Odisha (94.52 BT). Suyash Shukla, head of corporate affairs at Jindal Steel and Power Limited, stressed the need to set up more coal washeries “Steel companies in Jharkhand need 4 MT of coal. Washeries will enhance the efficiency of coal, and it can be used in the steel sector,” he added.
Ranjan said, “This year, we have set Rs 15,000 crore revenue target. In the coming years, it is expected to touch Rs 30,000 crore annually.” Ranjan, also Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation MD, said planning for 80 blocks of major and strategic minerals are in advanced stages. “Twenty-five of them, including iron ore and gold, will be up for auctions soon,” he added.