The Coal Ministry said it has auctioned six coal blocks under the fifteenth round and the second attempt of the thirteenth round of commercial coal mine auctions, launched in April and concluded in August through forward bidding. The mines together hold geological reserves of about 1,503.93 mn t and have a cumulative peak rated production capacity of 11.62 mn t per annum. Of the six blocks awarded, four are fully explored and two are partially explored, the ministry stated.

Among the successful bidders, The Singareni Collieries Company Limited secured the Dip Side Extension of the PKOC block in Telangana while Gallantt Ispat Limited won the Dongeri Tal-II block in Madhya Pradesh. Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited was the successful bidder for both the Margo West and Margo East blocks in Jharkhand, and CG Syn-Gas and Chemicals Limited won the Tara Revised block in Chhattisgarh. Qube Commercial Private Limited secured the Mandla South block in Madhya Pradesh.

The ministry indicated the newly auctioned blocks are expected to generate annual revenue of about Rs 19.83 billion (bn) for coal-bearing states, attract capital investment of nearly Rs 17.43 bn and create around 15,710 employment opportunities once operational. The Tara Revised coal block attracted the highest bid premium at 37.5 per cent, significantly above premiums for the other five mines. The auctions were launched on April seventeenth and concluded with forward bidding on August third and fourth.

The latest round advances the government commercial coal mining programme that began in 2020, bringing the total number of successfully auctioned blocks to 147. Those mines together have an annual production capacity of 377.974 mn t and are projected to generate annual revenue of Rs 482.15 bn, mobilise investments worth Rs 543.15 bn and create nearly 0.49 mn jobs after becoming operational. The ministry said the auctions have so far helped expand capacity and investment in the sector.