Govt puts 7 coking coal mines in second tranche

Steel Insights Bureau

Coal Ministry has initiated the next tranche of commercial coal mine auction, inviting Expression of Interest for 64 mines of which five are pure coking coal blocks, two are a mix of coking and non-coking coal while the rest are thermal coal.

“Buoyed with the success of the 1stever auctions for commercial coal mining, Coal Ministry has come up with the next tranche of commercial coal mine auctions. Expression of interest has been invited for 64 coal mines,” Pralhad Joshi, Coal and Mines Minister, tweeted.

Out of 64, 39 blocks are being offered under Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 while the balance under Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.

There shall be no restriction on the sale and or utilisation of coal produced from the coal mine and successful bidders shall be free to sell coal in any manner.

“The list has been finalised post detailed deliberations,” the ministry said. During the deliberations, the ministry followed the following issues:

♦ Blocks falling under un-notified Lemru Elephant Reserve of Chhattisgarh, wildlife habitat of Great Indian Bustard, Kinnersani ESZ, Tiger Reserve/ Corridor, heavily built up area etc. have been excluded.

♦ Blocks with having over 40 percent of green cover have been excluded

♦ Blocks with ongoing exploration activities or having overlap with active CBM blocks have been excluded

♦ Blocks presently under litigation have been excluded.

Interested bidders and stakeholders have been asked to submit feedback and preferences by February 24.

Block details

Coking coal

1. CHORITAND TILIAYA

Location: West Bokaro, Jharkhand Target capacity: 0.78 mtpa Geological reserve: 97.035 mt Geological block area: 2.49 sq. km. Forest area (approx.): 1% Non-Forest area (approx.): 99% Exploration Status: Explored in detail Exploration agency: MECL Previous allocation: CT Mining Pvt Ltd.

2. JOGESHWAR & KHAS JOGESHWAR

Location: West Bokaro, Jharkhand Target capacity: 0.60 mtpa Geological reserve: 84.03 mt Geological block area: 2.66 sq. km. Forest area (approx.): 19% Non-Forest area (approx.): 81% Exploration Status: Partly explored Exploration agency: MECL Previous allocation: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corp.

3. LALGARH (NORTH)

Location: West Bokaro, Jharkhand Target capacity: NA Geological reserve: 27.04 mt Geological block area: 2.91 sq. km. Forest area (approx.): 33% Non-Forest area (approx.): 67% Exploration Status: Explored Exploration agency: MECL, IBM Previous allocation: Domco Smokeless Fuel Pvt. Ltd

4. BEHERABAND NORTH EXTENSION UNDER GROUND

Location: Sohagpur, Madhya Pradesh Target capacity: 2 mtpa Geological reserve: 170 mt Geological block area: 14.8 sq. km. Exploration: Partly explored

5. BASANTPUR

Location: West Bokaro, Jharkhand Target capacity: Not assessed Geological reserve: 200 mt Geological block area: 4.6 sq. km. Exploration: Regionally explored

Coking cum non-coking coal

1. BURAKHAP SMALL PATCH

Location: Ramgarh, Jharkhand Target capacity: NA Geological reserve: 9.68 mt Geological block area: 0.58 sq. km. • Forest area (approx.): 19% • Non-Forest area (aprox.): 81% Exploration Status: Explored in detail Exploration agency: DGM Jharkhand Previous Allocation: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corp

2. RAUTA CLOSED MINE

Location: Ramgarh, Jharkhand Target capacity: NA Geological reserve: 7 mt Geological block area: 1.75 sq. km. Forest area (approx.): 19% Non-Forest area (approx.): 81% Previous allocation: Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corp