India Opens Bids for 12th Round of Coal Block Auctions

18 Jun 2025 CW Team

India’s Ministry of Coal has kicked off its twelfth commercial coal block auction, inviting bids from private and public players as part of the government’s ongoing drive to open up the coal mining sector. In this round, a total of 27 companies have submitted bids, reflecting strong investor interest in the country’s energy and mining industries.

This initiative aligns with recent reforms aimed at encouraging private participation, reducing red tape, and promoting transparency through a single-window system and digitised processes. Coal remains a critical component of India’s energy mix, and these auctions aim to boost domestic production while enhancing energy security and cutting reliance on imports.

The current round follows the successful allocation of the 200th coal block, signalling a strategic milestone in liberalising coal mining. The ministry expects the new auction to support substantial investment, job creation, and faster project implementation.

Companies taking part are anticipated to deploy capital towards exploration, mining infrastructure, and extraction processes once the auction concludes and leases are awarded. This wave of investment is expected to strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to India’s economy and support long-term sustainability goals.

With a clearer regulatory landscape and accelerated permission processes, the coal auctions are positioned to attract both domestic firms and international investors. Successful bidders will gain access to valuable coal reserves and play a key role in shaping India’s energy future.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..