Coal ministry launches 15th round of commercial mine auctions, pushes reforms, gasification & energy security

New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal launched the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions and convened a stakeholder consultation on “Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security” on Friday, saying the twin exercise marked “another significant milestone in strengthening India’s energy security and advancing self-reliance in the coal sector.” The day-long consultation brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, experts and other stakeholders to discuss reforms, technological advancement, coal gasification, sustainability and inclusive growth in the coal sector.

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Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt attended the event as chief guest, along with Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority Rupinder Brar, Coal Controller Sajeesh Kumar N and senior ministry officials, industry leaders and other stakeholders. The ministry said Dutt launched the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions at the event.

11 blocks offered in 15th round

The ministry said 11 coal blocks are being offered in the latest round, including seven fully explored and four partially explored mines. Of these, three mines are being offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, and eight under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The package includes one coking coal block and 10 non-coking coal blocks, which the ministry said are meant to meet the needs of sectors such as steel and power. In addition, six coal mines are also being offered for a second attempt in the 13th round.

The mines are spread across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. The ministry said the blocks are expected to attract investment, improve domestic coal availability and generate jobs. It added that 135 coal mines have been auctioned across 13 rounds so far, with a Peak Rated Capacity of about 325 million tonnes per annum, which it said reflects the momentum in unlocking India’s coal potential.

Coal reforms tied to energy security

In his keynote address, Dutt said the structural reforms in the coal sector are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflect a sustained focus on transparency, efficiency and unlocking the sector’s full potential. He said the commercial coal mining framework introduced in 2020 marked “a transformative shift in the sector,” creating room for greater competition, private participation and improved availability of coal for domestic industry. He added that participation in successive auction rounds has risen steadily, which he said shows “strong and growing confidence among stakeholders.”

Dutt also said the ministry is pursuing a “whole-of-government approach” and stressed the need for coordination among ministries, state governments and industry to reduce procedural hurdles, simplify regulation and create an enabling environment. He said these efforts would help drive coal production higher while supporting economic growth.

Gasification, mine closure and CSR in focus

The secretary said the ministry’s work now spans sustainability, community welfare and technology. He underlined the need for scientific mine closure and said mined-out areas should be transformed into “co-created, vibrant habitats” that support ecological restoration, community well-being and long-term social stability. He said CSR initiatives have already brought positive change in coal-bearing regions and should be strengthened further so local communities feel included in development efforts.

On technology, Dutt pointed to coal gasification as a cleaner and more efficient utilisation pathway. He said the government has backed the segment through policy measures such as viability gap funding and noted that Underground Coal Gasification blocks had already been offered in earlier auction rounds. He also linked the push for higher domestic coal output to India’s energy security, especially in view of the changing geopolitical landscape.

Brar calls for growth with sustainability

Rupinder Brar said coal production must accelerate, but with “a conscious approach” that balances growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being. She said sustainability must move alongside scale and described transparency, policy stability and ease of doing business as key drivers of investment and competition in the sector. She said India, as the second-largest coal producer, still has much more potential and called coal “a powerful engine of employment, industrial growth, and national energy security.”

Brar also highlighted both surface and underground coal gasification, saying enabling guidelines for Underground Coal Gasification have been issued and that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has provided the Terms of Reference framework to support such projects. She reiterated the importance of scientific mine closure and responsible post-mining land use, and said collaboration across government, industry and stakeholders is essential for driving efficiency and scaling sustainable mining technologies.

Consultation covered technology, rehabilitation and transition

The stakeholder consultation included sessions on technology adoption, innovation and coal gasification; inclusive growth through rehabilitation, resettlement, land repurposing, worker welfare and CSR; and sustainability through greener mining practices and environmental stewardship. The ministry said the discussions offered a holistic roadmap for a modern, responsible, future-ready and self-reliant coal sector, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with stakeholders.

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Ministry frames auctions as next step in energy security push

The ministry said it is steering the sector towards a “future-ready, resilient, and globally competitive coal ecosystem.” It said the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions will unlock new investment avenues, boost domestic production and reinforce India’s energy security, while the stakeholder consultation reflects its commitment to “continuous engagement, innovation, and sustainable practices.”

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