New Delhi, March 28, 2025: The Ministry of Coal, in its continued efforts to enhance domestic coal production and strengthen India’s energy security, successfully launched the 12th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in New Delhi today. The event witnessed the esteemed presence of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, as the Chief Guest, and Union Minister of State, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, as the Guest of Honour. In his keynote address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy highlighted India’s historic achievement of surpassing One billion Tonnes in coal production. He credited the transformation of the coal sector into a modern, transparent, and forward-looking industry to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Since 2015, key reforms such as the introduction of a transparent auction regime, increased private sector participation, and technological advancements have reshaped the sector, fostering efficiency and competitiveness.
He emphasized that 125 coal mines have been successfully auctioned across 11 rounds, attracting investments worth approximately ₹40,900 crore and creating over 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs. With the 12th tranche, an additional 28 coal and lignite blocks are being auctioned, further reducing India’s reliance on imported coal, conserving foreign exchange, and strengthening the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The transparent auction process has spurred healthy competition, pushing public sector PSUs to compete with private players, thereby driving greater efficiency, reforms, and operational transformation. This shift is significantly enhancing the global competitiveness of India’s coal sector.
The Minister highlighted that the coal sector is emerging as a key champion of Atmanirbhar Bharat, with a transparent and inclusive auction system attracting new companies and junior mining firms, providing them fresh opportunities to enter the industry. Encouraging all stakeholders and industry players to actively participate in the 12th tranche of auctions, he underscored the collective responsibility in building an energy-secure and self-reliant India, aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
In his address Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, stated that with India surpassing One Billion Tonnes of coal production, the launch of the 12th round of commercial coal mine auctions marks another significant step towards energy self-sufficiency. He emphasized that a transparent auction mechanism, industry-friendly policies, and increased private sector participation will not only enhance coal production but also attract investment, create employment opportunities, and accelerate infrastructure growth.
Shri Dubey further highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the coal sector, ensuring long-term energy security for the nation. He also reiterated that ease of doing business remains a key focus area, aligning with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the energy domain.
Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, and Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, along with key stakeholders from the coal and mining sector, also attended the event.
In his insightful address, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, highlighted how commercial coal mining has transformed the sector since 2020—enhancing efficiency, meeting surging energy demand, and ensuring equitable supply to industries. He lauded the milestone achievement of 1 BT coal production and emphasized that private sector participation, transparency, and policy reforms have reshaped the industry, making it more competitive and future-ready. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to faster mine operationalization, streamlined clearances, and enhanced logistics through coordinated efforts with MoEF, Railways, and State Governments. With each auction, the coal sector is unlocking new investments, creating jobs, and fortifying India’s energy security. The Secretary reaffirmed that commercial coal mining is a game-changer—driving economic growth, boosting infrastructure, and making India truly Atmanirbhar in coal production.
Shri Dutt further assured full support from the Ministry of Coal to facilitate the early operationalization of auctioned mines, emphasizing efforts to fast-track clearances, ease regulatory approvals, and remove bottlenecks. The Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expediting approvals related to Environmental Clearances (EC) and Forest Clearances (FC) to ensure swift operationalization of auctioned coal mines. He assured seamless coordination between ministries and regulatory bodies to enhance domestic coal production and reduce dependency on imports. He further emphasized that environmental sustainability and responsible mining will remain a priority, with a greater focus on the rehabilitation of mined-out areas, afforestation efforts, and stringent environmental compliance measures. He assured full cooperation with stakeholders to facilitate the rapid development of commercial coal mines and support India’s cleaner and more efficient coal sector.
Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, highlighted the transformative impact of commercial coal mining in India. She reiterated that the 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions is an important step toward unlocking new opportunities for private players, fostering competition, and ensuring a robust coal supply for industries. She acknowledged the role of policy reforms in making India’s coal sector more transparent, investor-friendly, and globally competitive.
She also spoke about the Ministry’s commitment to sustainable mining and the need for technological advancements in coal exploration and extraction. She emphasized that commercial coal mining is not just about increasing production but also about ensuring responsible mining practices that align with India’s vision for a sustainable and self-reliant future.
The launch marks another major step towards unlocking new investment opportunities, ensuring responsible mining practices, and fostering greater participation in India’s coal sector. The event also featured the signing of agreements of previous tranche with successful bidders, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and private sector participation in coal mining. This milestone coincides with India’s coal sector achieving a historic feat by crossing One Billion Tonnes in coal production, an achievement that reflects the collective efforts of the Central and State Governments, coal companies, mine workers, researchers, and private sector participants.
As part of the 12th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, 25 new coal mines are being offered and under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 18 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR). The auction also includes two lignite mines, catering to varied energy needs. Out of the total mines, 13 are fully explored and ready for immediate development, while 12 are partially explored, offering long-term investment opportunities and contributing to the growth of India’s coal sector. In addition, Three mines from previous round of commercial coal mine auctions are also being offered. The mines being auctioned are spread across coal and lignite bearing states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Rajasthan.
During the event, certificates of appreciation were also awarded to coal block allocatees for their significant contributions to enhancing coal production and industry growth. Additionally, subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL) were honored for their outstanding performance in achieving a record-breaking 1 BT coal production, showcasing their commitment to operational excellence.
The 12th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions is set to unlock new investment opportunities, enhance domestic coal supply, and contribute significantly to India’s energy security. The Ministry of Coal remains dedicated to fostering growth, sustainability, and safety in the sector, ensuring that India continues to move toward a self-reliant coal economy while prioritizing environmental conservation and community welfare.
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