Coal production from captive and commercial mines rose nine point six one per cent year-on-year to 14.78 million tonnes (mn t) in July 2026, the Ministry of Coal reported. The rise reflected an increased contribution from these mines to the country's domestic coal output. Production growth formed part of a broader shift towards greater reliance on domestic supply. This performance covered both captive units and commercial operators. Coal dispatches from the segment reached 17.49 mn t in the month, exceeding production as operators sustained supplies to consumers. The ministry attributed the rise in both output and dispatches to improvements in operational efficiency, higher mining productivity and better utilisation of mining capacity across captive and commercial blocks. Enhanced capacity management enabled mines to maintain steady deliveries despite seasonal and logistical challenges. Operators prioritised supplies to meet contractual obligations and immediate demand. The government said sustained growth from captive and commercial mines would help reduce dependence on imported coal, strengthen supply-chain resilience and conserve foreign exchange by boosting domestic availability of the fuel. Officials linked higher domestic output to strengthened energy security and support for industrial development. The ministry also noted that improved availability was likely to ease pressure on imports in the coming months. The ministry underlined that boosting domestic output could moderate price volatility and support manufacturing activity. The ministry reiterated its commitment to further expand production from the sector through continued policy interventions, regulatory oversight and stakeholder support. It said efforts would focus on addressing supply-side constraints, improving access to infrastructure and enhancing capacity utilisation at active blocks. Planned measures would target both operational reforms and coordination with consumers to align production with demand. Officials signalled ongoing monitoring and engagement to ensure domestic coal availability meets growing energy and industrial requirements, saying coordination with state authorities and industry bodies would form part of the implementation process.