All Efforts on to Stop Coal Import by 2025-26; Focus on Producing 100 Million Tonne from Underground Mines by 2030: Union Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “All Efforts on to Stop Coal Import by 2025-26; Focus on Producing 100 Million Tonne from Underground Mines by 2030: Union Minister” published in “PIB” on 16th November 2023

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Coal has launched the eighth round of the commercial coal mines auction process. 

What is the data on Coal Production in India?

Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It is found in a form of sedimentary rocks and is often known as ‘Black Gold’.

Coal is classified as a nonrenewable energy source because it takes millions of years to form.

 Occurrence of Coal in India:

1)Gondwana Coal Fields:  Gondwana coal comprises about 98 percent of the total reserves and 99 percent of the production of coal in India. Gondwana coal is said to be about 250 million years old.  

2)Tertiary Coal Fields: Its share is only about 1% of the total production in India. It bears coals of younger age; from 15 to 60 million years.  

– Lignite Coal Fields: Tertiary coal is the lignite coal. The coal is of inferior quality, with around 30 to 50% carbon. India’s largest ignite deposits are at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.

India Coal Reserves: India is the world’s second-largest coal producer and 5th largest country in terms of coal deposits.

Major Coal Producing States: During 2022-2023, the four major coal producing states were Odisha (24.52%), Chhattisgarh (20.70%), Jharkhand (17.52%) and Madhya Pradesh (16.35%). These four states together contributed about 79.08% of the total coal production in the country.

India’s Coal Imports: The 5 major coal importers to India are Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, USA & Russia.

– India has plans to stop the import of coal by 2025-26.
– The focus is on producing 100 Million Tonne from Underground Mines by 2030.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy