Ministry of Coal Holds Stakeholder Consultation on ‘Mining for Future’; Urges Allottees to Bring Allocated Coal Blocks into Production Faster

The Ministry of Coal held a stakeholder consultation on 'Mining for Future' in Panjim, Goa, urging allottees of captive and commercial coal blocks to bring allocated mines into production faster. Discussions focused on accelerating operationalisation, policy reforms, responsible mining, sustainability, and technological advancements. Officials highlighted that out of 137 commercial mines allocated since 2020, only 25 are producing. The consultations addressed global energy market pressures, projected domestic coal demand increases by NITI Aayog, previous reforms including reduced operationalisation timelines and 100 percent FDI through the automatic route, and the integration of scientific mine closure, worker welfare, and corporate social responsibility in mining-bearing regions.