(a) whether the Ministry of Coal in tandem with the Energy
Co-ordination Committee is working on a multi-pronged
strategy to facilitate captive coal mining;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Rs.1400 crores are likely to be spent on exploration
of coal blocks under the Eleventh Plan;
(d) if so, the projected estimate of production of coal;
(e) whether there is a plan to involve private coal mining
companies in this regard; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF COAL (SHRI SHIBU SOREN)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN ANSWER TO PARTS (A) TO (F) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 405 ASKED BY SHRI SURESH KALMADI REGARDING CAPTIVE COAL MINING
(a) to (f): The Government has so far allocated 56 coal blocks to private
sector companies/permissible end-users for captive consumption. Recently 81
coal blocks having total geological reserves of about 20.02 billion tones have
been identified for allocation to government companies/permissible end-users.
Allocation of coal blocks is also being done for development of ultra mega
power projects.
It is envisaged that about 22.5 lakh metres of detailed drilling and
75 lakh metres of promotional drilling will be undertaken in Coal & Lignite
areas of the country during XI Plan period. It is estimated that detailed
exploration (22.5 lakh m) will involve an expenditure of around Rs. 1400 crore
whereas about Rs. 300 crore more will be required for promotional exploration.
As per the Annual Plan 2006-07 of the Ministry of Coal, projected production
of coal will be 575.58 million tonnes in the terminal year of XI Plan i.e.
2011-12. As per the emergency production plan of CIL, there will be an
additional production of 59.5 million tones in 2011-12, However, production
plan for the XI Plan period is being assessed by the Working Group on Coal &
Lignite set up by the Planning Commission.