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72% of India’s steam coal has over 34% moisture

72% of India’s steam coal has over 34% moisture

India Coal Market Watch

November 17: About 72% of India’s steam coal output has ash and moisture content of more than 34% -- the benchmark used for coal consumed by the thermal power sector, according to official data.

In terms of volume, 403.18 million tons (mt) of coal produced in 2014-15 belonged to the high-ash category of G9-13 grade coal. This was around 72% of the total production of non-coking coal (554.984 mt) last year, the data shows.

The maximum volume was reported for G-11 grade (131 mt). This was followed by G-12 (79 mt), G-13 (76 mt), G-10 (64.4 mt) and G-9 (52.5 mt) grades, shows the data.

The volumes for both very-low-ash coal (<19.5% ash plus moisture) and very-high-ash coal (>55% ash plus moisture) were rather low at 11.98 mt and 14.8 mt, respectively.

Production of non-coking coal by grades in 2014-15 (in mt):