Coal resources of Coal India Limited (CIL) received a boost of 8.3 Billion Tonnes (BTs) after latest allocation of 16 coal blocks by the government to the state owned Maharatna PSU. The resource capacity of CIL took a leap to over 172 BTs from 164 BTs after the allocation of new blocks. This makes CIL’s resources around 54 per cent of the country’s entire coal resource.
At the current rate of coal production and even after taking into account the projected growth in the ensuing years, the present coal resources under CIL’s fold will enable it to meet the expanding coal demand of the country to a considerable extent. Evidently, the domestic demand for coal is far outstripping the rate of indigenous production. Coal India alone, despite its best efforts, may not be able to meet the burgeoning coal demand. If commercial miners step in to fill this gap by increasing domestic coal production, it would be a welcome step. Coal imports were at 235 Milion Tonnes (MTs) during 2018-19. The point is to become self-reliant in meeting the coal demand internally and reduce the import dependency.
“Notwithstanding the entry of private miners in commercial coal mining, CIL is confident of staying ahead of the competition with a strong resource base, core expertise of operations, updated mechanisation and multidisciplinary work force” said an official of the company.
