Coal news and updates

Coal block auction within a month: Minister

February 13: The government is expected to hold auction of new captive coal blocks by March 2014, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said on February 13.

"Coal blocks auctions will be held by another month," the minister said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 5Th Asian Mining Congress in Kolkata.

He, however, declined to say the exact number of blocks to be auctioned. "A number of blocks will be put up for auction, but I cannot say the exact numbers."

He neither confirmed nor denied reports that the government's aim was to auction 10 blocks in the first tranche instead of six planned initially.

Earlier, addressing the conference, the minister said that a few blocks may be allocated for the cement companies in future.

"Recently, the government has allocated 14 blocks to power companies and three blocks to mining companies in the government sector. A few new blocks may be allocated to cement companies in future."

Blocks have also been given for underground coal gasification (UCG) and coal bed methane (CBM) which were being pursued by Coal India Ltd (CIL) and other public sector companies, he added.