Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said on Monday that more than 200 million tonnes of coal reserves are available in the country, sufficient for 90 days’ requirement. Reddy told reporters during a program organized by the Mines Ministry here that one billion tonne coal production has been achieved in the country for the second consecutive year. He said that today thermal power plants and mines have enough coal available for 90 days. Earlier we had reserves of only 21 to 25 days, but now more than 20 crore tonnes of coal is available. Reddy said that the aim of the central government is to reduce dependence on imports in the mineral sector and make the country self-reliant. He said that I would like to say on behalf of the Central Government that the government does not work for revenue in the mineral sector. Rather, it takes important steps to make the country self-reliant in the mineral sector.
work on coal gasification
Seeing the vast potential for future urban mining and coal gasification for extraction of critical minerals, he urged the private sector to work closely with PSUs, state governments and other entities. He said that through urban mining, 30-40 percent of the important minerals required by the country can be extracted from scrap. The government is preparing an action plan in this direction, under which important minerals will be extracted from refrigerators, air conditioners etc. by collecting junk from every city.
How many blocks were auctioned?
Union Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal said that a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned in the financial year 2025-26, whereas a total of 364 blocks were auctioned in the previous four years. Since the start of the auction system in 2015, a total of 684 blocks have been auctioned. He said that 22 blocks have been auctioned in the important minerals section this year. Thus far, a total of 71 important mineral blocks have been auctioned, out of which 46 have been auctioned by the Central and 25 State Governments. He said that on March 23, the auction of the seventh tranche of important and strategic mineral blocks was started, which includes 19 blocks. These include 17 composite licenses and two mining leases. Goyal said that the critical minerals sector is an emerging sector and its importance will continuously increase in the coming years.