(a) the details of coal blocks/minesallocated to the steel and power sectorindustries by auction after the recentamendments in the laws;
(b) the details of mines which havebecome operational out of them and thequantity of coal extracted from them;
(c) whether some mines have notbecome operational; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor and thesteps taken by the Government in thisregard?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a)& (b):Coal mines / blocks can be allocated at present under the following two legal regimes:-
1) The Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015
2) The Mines and Mineral (Development & Regulations) Act, 1957
Under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, 75 coal mines have been allocated for specified end uses which include Power, Steel, Cement and Captive Power Production. Out of the 75, 31 coal mines (17 Schedule II & 14 Schedule III) have been allocated through auction. Out of the 17 Schedule II coal mines auctioned under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 which were operational before cancellation by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, mining operations have commenced/mine opening permission granted in 10 Schedule II coal mines. In addition, 1 Schedule III coal mine is also operational. In the financial year 2015-16 &2016-17, 8.488 Million Tonnes (Provisional) of coal has been produced.
The detail of 31 coal mines auctioned is at Annexure.
(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Rest of the Schedule II coal mines are in the process of starting mining operations after obtaining necessary statutory clearances as well as appointment of mining contractor. In many cases, the matter of appointment of Mine Developer & Operator is sub-judice. Schedule III coal mines are expected to commence mining only in the next 2-3 years as they were not operational at the time of the allocation.
Meetings have been held from time to time with the allocates of the coal mines/blocks, representatives of the State(s) concerned and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change with a view to bring allocated coal mines into production expeditiously. Clarifications have been issued on various issues hampering mine development for expeditious operationalization of coal mines.
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