New Delhi, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Ministry of Coal in New Delhi has kicked off the 16th round of commercial coal mine auctions. This announcement was made on September 17, 2026, alongside the signing of Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for six coal blocks auctioned in previous rounds.
The CMDPAs were signed for the Tara (modified), Margo West, Margo East, Mandla South, Dongri Tal-II, and PKC Dipside blocks. Successful bidders include CG Sin-Gas and Chemicals Limited, Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited, Cube Commercial Private Limited, Gallant Steel Limited, and Singareni Collieries Limited.
According to an official statement, these six coal mines hold a geological reserve of approximately 1,504 million tons, with a combined peak rated capacity of 11.62 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Once operational, they are expected to generate an annual revenue of around ₹1,984 crores, attract ₹1,743 crores in capital investment, and create approximately 15,700 job opportunities in coal-rich regions.
In this latest round, 25 coal blocks are being offered across nine coal-rich states: Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal. Among these, six blocks are being auctioned under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act (CMSP), while 19 are under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR).
These blocks are open to experienced mining companies, newcomers, and technology-driven enterprises. This initiative is part of a liberal commercial coal mining framework that imposes no restrictions on end-use, allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) through the automatic route, and features low upfront payments adjustable against future revenue shares.
With the launch of this round, the commercial coal mining program has now completed sixteen rounds. So far, a total of 147 coal mines have been auctioned, generating an estimated annual revenue of over ₹47,500 crores and attracting more than ₹55,000 crores in capital investment across nine states.
During the auction launch, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey emphasized the vital role of coal in India’s development. He noted that coal meets around 55% of the country’s primary energy needs and accounts for over 70% of electricity generation. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, coal production has seen a remarkable increase, surpassing 1 billion tons for the second consecutive year, highlighting the resilience of India’s domestic coal sector and its growing contribution to energy security.
The minister also stressed the government’s commitment to increasing transparency, competition, and technology-driven processes in the coal sector. He underscored the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all stakeholders and creating a conducive environment for investment and participation in commercial coal mining.
He called on stakeholders to actively engage in the commercial coal mine auction process to strengthen India’s energy security while ensuring the efficient and sustainable use of the country’s coal reserves.
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