+
Government Notifies Colliery Control Rule Changes to Ease Mine Openings
COAL & MINING

Government Notifies Colliery Control Rule Changes to Ease Mine Openings

The Government has recently notified the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2025, simplifying the approval process for opening coal and lignite mines and strengthening ease of doing business in the coal sector. The amendment revises provisions under the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, to remove procedural redundancies while retaining regulatory oversight.

Under the earlier framework, mine owners were required to obtain prior permission from the Coal Controller Organisation for opening a coal or lignite mine, as well as for opening individual seams or sections of a seam. Approval was also mandatory if a mine remained non-operational for 180 days or more.

The amended rules dispense with this requirement by revising Rule 9, transferring the authority to approve mine, seam or section openings to the board of the concerned coal company. The notification was issued on 23 December 2025 and is expected to reduce mine operationalisation timelines by up to two months.

As safeguards, approvals by company boards can be granted only after obtaining requisite clearances from central and state governments and statutory bodies. Companies are also required to inform the Coal Controller Organisation of mine openings, while entities other than companies will continue to route approvals through the CCO.

The reform places accountability at the highest corporate level while maintaining statutory checks, and is expected to accelerate coal production, improve operational efficiency, and enhance confidence in India’s coal regulatory framework.

The Government has recently notified the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2025, simplifying the approval process for opening coal and lignite mines and strengthening ease of doing business in the coal sector. The amendment revises provisions under the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, to remove procedural redundancies while retaining regulatory oversight. Under the earlier framework, mine owners were required to obtain prior permission from the Coal Controller Organisation for opening a coal or lignite mine, as well as for opening individual seams or sections of a seam. Approval was also mandatory if a mine remained non-operational for 180 days or more. The amended rules dispense with this requirement by revising Rule 9, transferring the authority to approve mine, seam or section openings to the board of the concerned coal company. The notification was issued on 23 December 2025 and is expected to reduce mine operationalisation timelines by up to two months. As safeguards, approvals by company boards can be granted only after obtaining requisite clearances from central and state governments and statutory bodies. Companies are also required to inform the Coal Controller Organisation of mine openings, while entities other than companies will continue to route approvals through the CCO. The reform places accountability at the highest corporate level while maintaining statutory checks, and is expected to accelerate coal production, improve operational efficiency, and enhance confidence in India’s coal regulatory framework.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Products

Interio by Godrej launches modular workplace solutions

Interio by Godrej has launched Workscapes, a modular workplace solutions category designed to help organisations configure and adapt workspaces to changing requirements. The portfolio combines mobile and compatible furniture and support elements that can be rearranged across different work modes without changes to fixed layouts.Workscapes includes Collaboration Tables, Privacy Solutions, Mobile Markerboards and Space Dividers, Power Solutions, Storage and Support Elements, Meeting and Presentation Tools, and Seating Elements. The range is designed for focused work, collaboration, informal disc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CAFE-III Gives Auto Industry Investment Clarity

The government’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms have provided the automobile industry with a clearer framework for technology investments, according to industry representatives. The framework seeks to balance environmental objectives with flexibility for manufacturers while encouraging the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework would give automakers greater predictability to plan investments and accelerate innovation. He said the regulation established annual targ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Mines Ministry to Auction Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea

The Ministry of Mines will launch an auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday, seeking to unlock India’s offshore mineral potential and strengthen long-term mineral resource security. The blocks will be offered under a composite licence, which permits exploration and development activities in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. The ministry said the auction was intended to encourage systematic exploration, attract investment and promote the use of advanced technologies for offshore mineral exploration and development. The initiative is also aimed..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code