Coal news and updates

Proposal to bring NLW coals under coking coal bracket

April 23: In view of the shortage of coking coal reserves, the coal ministry is considering a proposal to bring non-linked washery (NLW) coals under coking coal grade, according to CMPDI, the research backbone of state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL).

“In the present system of grading of coking coal, the grading is available for the coals having ash up to 35% only, in which NLW coal is not covered. Therefore, these coals may also be brought into grading system of coking coal. Proposal is under consideration,” a recent document by CMPDI said.

“A large portion of NLW coal is linked to power stations. NLW coals are not covered under present coking coal grading system though they possess coking properties. Studies have indicated that if these coals could be washed to an ash level of < 18%, they may be used for metallurgical coke,” the document said.

India has only 5.3 billion tons of prime coking coal reserves, which is just 1.8% of the total coal reserves of 301.5 billion tons in the country.