The primary source of energy, coal accounts for approximately 70% of the nation’s total power generation. The government has taken a number of steps to increase coal production in response to rising demand, not only to ensure energy security and provide economy-friendly energy products but also to reduce import dependence. Coal production has been set at 911 MT for the fiscal year 2022-23. It is anticipated to increase to 1012 MT in 2023-24 and 1.3 billion tonnes in 2025-26. Read More Business News on our website.
Act of 1957, Single Window Clearance, an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) to allow captive mines to sell up to 50% of their annual production after meeting the requirement of the end use plant, production through MDO mode, and an increase in the use of Mass Production technologies like surface miner, continuous miner, and so on are the primary steps taken to increase coal production. expanding and starting new projects, auctioning coal blocks to private companies and PSUs, and taking on new projects.
Up until February 2023, 2022-23, coal production totaled 785.24 MT, an increase of 15.14 percent from the previous year’s 681.98 MT. The following are the specifics of coal imports from major nations over the past four years:
| Country | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 (Upto Dec-22) |
| Qty | Qty | Qty | Qty | Qty | |
| Australia | 48.17 | 46.72 | 54.95 | 66.76 | 35.27 |
| Canada | 4.46 | 4.69 | 2.96 | 2.15 | 2.25 |
| China P Rp | 0.05 | 0.21 | 0.03 | 2.62 | 0.12 |
| Indonesia | 112.88 | 116.66 | 92.53 | 72.50 | 90.31 |
| Mozambique | 7.09 | 5.48 | 3.57 | 6.57 | 6.80 |
| New Zealand | 0.50 | 0.41 | 0.23 | 0.10 | 0.18 |
| Russia | 4.92 | 8.23 | 6.75 | 8.27 | 15.65 |
| South Africa | 31.15 | 42.48 | 31.09 | 26.11 | 13.01 |
| USA | 14.98 | 12.16 | 12.20 | 14.37 | 10.60 |
| Others | 11.15 | 11.50 | 10.93 | 9.49 | 11.87 |
| Total | 235.35 | 248.54 | 215.25 | 208.93 | 186.06 |
Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, provided this information in a written response today in the Rajya Sabha.