Coal Production in India
Kartavya Desk Staff
- •Source: PIB*
Context: India has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 1 billion tonnes of coal production in FY 2024–25, a feat hailed by Prime Minister as a proud moment reflecting energy security and self-reliance.
About Coal Production in India:
Historical Background:
• Commercial coal mining in India began in 1774 at Raniganj Coalfields along the Damodar River.
Nationalisation of Coal:
• Coking coal mines nationalised in 1972 under the Coking Coal Mines Act.
• Non-coking coal mines nationalised in 1973 under the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act.
Categories of Coal in India:
• Gondwana Coal:
• Age: Formed around 250–300 million years ago (Permian period).
• Location: Found in peninsular India.
• Major States: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Characteristics: High carbon content and high calorific value. Contains moisture and volatile matter. Mostly bituminous and sub-bituminous in nature.
• High carbon content and high calorific value.
• Contains moisture and volatile matter.
• Mostly bituminous and sub-bituminous in nature.
• Uses: Primarily used for power generation, steel production, and industrial purposes.
• Tertiary Coal:
• Age: Formed around 15–60 million years ago (Tertiary period).
• Location: Found in northeastern states and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Major States: Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
• Characteristics: Higher moisture content and lower carbon concentration. Mostly lignite or peat with lower calorific value.
• Higher moisture content and lower carbon concentration.
• Mostly lignite or peat with lower calorific value.
• Uses: Used for power generation and domestic heating.
Types of Coal in India:
• Anthracite: Highest carbon content (80-95%), found in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Bituminous: 60-80% carbon content, found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Sub-bituminous: Dull black coal, higher energy than lignite.
• Lignite: Low carbon content (40-55%), found in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Assam.
Major Coal Producers in India:
• Coal India Limited (CIL): Largest contributor with 773.81 MT production in FY 2023-24.
• Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL): Key supplier for southern India, produced 70.02 MT in FY 2023-24.
• Captive and private players: Increasing contributions post-coal sector reforms.
Top Coal Producers in the World (Rank-wise):
• China – Largest producer globally, contributing around 50% of world production.
• India – Second-largest coal producer with over 1 billion tonnes produced in 2024-25.
• United States – Major exporter and consumer, ranking third globally.
Coal Producing States in India (Rank-wise):
• Jharkhand – Largest reserves and major coking coal source.
• Odisha – Large contributor with major thermal coal mines.
• Chhattisgarh – Key producer with some of the world’s largest coal mines.
• West Bengal – Historic coalfields such as Raniganj.
Important Coal Mines in India:
Also in news:
• Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines have secured the 2ndand 4th spot in the list of the World’s 10 largest coal mines released by WorldAtlas.com in 2024.