Coal news and updates

Govt eyes dozen new mines, increasing mechanized loading to reduce air pollution under 100 day plan

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·         India is among the world’s largest miners of the fossil fuel, with coal production touching a record 997.4 million tonnes in FY24.

The nation-wide coal production fell short of the 1 billion tonne target last fiscal.

New Delhi: The union coal ministry plans to operationalize 12 new coal mines as part of the 100-day agenda of the newly formed Central government.

India is among the world’s largest miners of the fossil fuel, with coal production touching a record 997.4 million tonnes in FY24. Although production fell short of the government's 1-billion tonne target last fiscal, it is expected to surpass that mark this year (FY25).

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"Under the 100 day plan, the ministry plans to operationalize 12 new mines. It also plans to increase mechanization of coal loading by 20 percentage points to around 33% (of all coal loaded)," said a person aware of the plan. These mines would include those of state-run companies along with other captive and commercial mines, the person added.