(a) the names of agencies involved in exploration of coal reserves in the country;
(b) The quantum of coal reserves explored by them during
the last three years and the coal reserves out of it in
which commercial production has started;
(c) the value of coal reserves exploited during each of the above years; and
(d) the action plan drawn by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF
COAL AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE
MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
(SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a): The following national agencies are involved in
exploration of coal in India :
(i) Geological Survey of for Regional India (GSI) Exploration only.
(ii) Central Mine Planning & for both Design Institute Limited Promotional (CMPDIL) (Regional) and detailed exploration
(iii) Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL)
(iv) Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)
(v) Some State Government Mainly for detailed departments like exploration Director of Geology & Mining, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa etc.
(b): As per the latest National Inventory on Indian Coal
Resources (as on 01.04.2009), a total of Sixty Three
coalfields have so far been explored and the total coal
resources assessed over 267 Billion Tonnes. Exploration is
a continuous process and most of the areas are in
continuation of the existing production fields. Year-wise
addition of coal resources in the last three years is
furnished in the table below :-
Indian Inventory of Indian Addition of Geological Geological Resources over Resources as Resources previous year on (in Million Tonnes) (in Million Tonnes)
01.04.2007 257382 4080 01.04.2008 264535 7153 01.04.2009 267211 2676
Year Reserves Value# exploited/Coal (Rs. in crore) Production (Million Tonnes)
2006-07 430.83 34836.79 2007-08 457.08 38463.71 2008-09 492.75 45537.01