During the commercial coal mine e-auction, Sarda Energy and Minerals and SM Steels and Power emerged as successful bidders for two coal blocks. According to the coal ministry, Sarda Energy secured a block in Chhattisgarh with geological reserves of 102.268 million tonnes (MT), while SM Steels won a mine in Jharkhand with reserves of 77.9 MT.
These blocks are expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs 339.06 crore at peak rated capacity (PRC) upon operationalisation.
Additionally, they are projected to attract Rs 315 crore in capital investment and create 2,839 jobs, boosting local economic development.
The e-auction began in June 2024 and has a total of nine blocks up for sale.
Earlier in the bidding process, five companies, including NLC India, ACC, and JSW Energy Utkal, acquired coal mines. NLC India and JSW Energy won mines in Odisha while ACC secured a block in Madhya Pradesh. Mineware Advisors and Shreeji Nuravi Coal Mining and Trading also acquired blocks, with a combined PRC of 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to boosting domestic coal production and reducing reliance on imports through commercial mining.
