Ministry of Coal Successfully Launches 16th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions; Executes CMDPAs for Six Coal Mines

The Ministry of Coal successfully launched the 16th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions on September 17, 2026, in New Delhi. Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

On the occasion, Satish Chandra Dubey launched the 16th round of commercial coal mine auctions and, along with  Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, handed over Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) to the successful bidders of six coal mines auctioned in earlier rounds.

The CMDPAs were executed for Tara (Revised), Margo West, Margo East, Mandla South, Dongeri Tal-II and Dip Side of PKoC. The successful bidders include CG Syn-Gas & Chemicals Ltd., Jharkhand Exploration & Mining Corporation Limited, Qube Commercial Pvt. Ltd., Gallant Ispat Ltd. and The Singareni Collieries Limited.

The six mines together have geological reserves of approximately 1,504 million tonnes and a combined Peak Rated Capacity of 11.62 MTPA. Once operational, they are expected to generate annual revenue of around ₹1,984 crore, attract capital investment of nearly ₹1,743 crore and create approximately 15,700 employment opportunities in the respective coal-bearing regions.

The 16th round offers 25 coal blocks, comprising 21 fully explored and four partially explored mines, across nine coal-bearing states—Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal. Of these, six coal mines are offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act (CMSP) and 19 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR). The blocks are open to experienced mining companies, new entrants and technology-driven enterprises under the liberal commercial coal mining framework, which provides for no end-use restrictions, 100% FDI through the automatic route and low upfront payments adjustable against future revenue share.

With the launch of this round, the commercial coal mining programme has now completed sixteen rounds since Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi opened the sector to commercial mining in 2020. A total of 147 coal mines have been auctioned to date, with cumulative expected annual revenue of over ₹47,500 crore and projected capital investment of more than ₹55,000 crore across nine coal-bearing states.

Addressing the launch of the 16th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in New Delhi, MoS for Coal & Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, highlighted coal’s vital role in powering India’s growth, meeting around 55% of the country’s primary energy requirement and over 70% of its electricity generation. Under the guidance of Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, he underlined the remarkable growth in coal production, which has crossed the 1 billion tonne mark for the second consecutive year, reflecting the strength of India’s domestic coal sector and its growing contribution to energy security.

Dubey highlighted the Government’s efforts to transform the coal sector through greater transparency, competition and technology-enabled processes. He emphasised the importance of providing a level playing field for stakeholders and creating a conducive environment for investment and wider participation in commercial coal mining. He underscored the need to unlock India’s domestic coal resources, enhance production and reduce dependence on imports, while ensuring efficient and sustainable utilisation of the country’s coal reserves. He also called upon stakeholders to actively participate in the commercial coal mine auction process and contribute to strengthening India’s energy security.

In her welcome address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority setting the tone of the day she emphasised that transformation of India’s coal sector towards a transparent, technology-enabled and competitive ecosystem. She noted the surge in Coal production in recent years from captive and commercial mines, emphasising that energy is the foundation of growth, development and progress.

Ms. Brar underlined the immense potential of India’s coal sector to unlock domestic resources, drive production, attract investment and create new opportunities. She also emphasised that the Office of the Nominated Authority remains open and accessible to all stakeholders, facilitating dialogue and addressing their concerns and queries to ensure a conducive and transparent framework for commercial coal mining.

In his insightful address at the of launch of 16^th round of Commercial Coal Mine auctions,  Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, highlighted the growing focus on coal gasification as an important avenue for value addition and innovative utilisation of India’s abundant coal resources. He emphasised the need to accelerate technology adoption and strengthen the ecosystem for next-generation coal utilisation. He also stressed the importance of learning from global best technologies and best practices, while developing solutions suited to India’s requirements. Leveraging technology, innovation and global expertise can help unlock new possibilities in coal utilisation and support a more efficient, sustainable and future-ready coal sector.

The Ministry of Coal remains committed to deepening reforms in the coal sector, promoting greater participation and investment, and ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply in line with India’s long-term energy security goals