Coal Production From Captive And Commercial Blocks Goes Up By 58 Per Cent During April-August Of FY23: Govt

The coal production from captive and commercial coal blocks has gone up by nearly 58 per cent in April-August 2022-23, an official release said on Tuesday (6 September).

"Coal production achieved during April-August, 2022-23 is 43.93 million ton which is 57.74 per cent higher than 27.85 million ton coal produced during the same period 2021-22," the Coal Ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after additional secretary, and the nominated authority, of the Coal Ministry reviewed the production from coal blocks during April-August for the fiscal 2022-23 in the presence of project proponents.

Two mines auctioned in 2021 under commercial auction reforms have become operational and produced 2.36 million ton coal in April-August, 2022-23, the ministry said.

At present, 37 captive and commercial mines are under production and it is expected that at least 11 more new mines will start production during the year, it added.

According to the ministry, this will significantly contribute to meet coal demand in the country.

The ministry said that it was hopeful that that the target production of 141.78 million ton from these coal blocks during FY 2022-23 will be achieved.

During the review, it was noted with concern that Parsa East and Kanta Basan coal block production has stopped and Parsa coal block production has not started.

Continued stoppage may adversely impact achievement of target this year, the ministry said.

Further, during the review, project proponents shared the efforts made by them and the challenges faced, it added.