(a) the number of productive coal mines in the country and the time by which these are likely to last;
(b) whether the Government proposes to import coal to meet its requirement in the country; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the names of the countries from which the coal is likely to be imported?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): The number of working coal mines of Coal India Limited as on 01.04.2016 is 413.
Life of the mine depends on availability of mineable coal reserve and rate of extraction. Rate of extraction may change depending on the condition of the mine, the operation of mines through underground or opencast mode of operation, adoption of upgraded technology etc. Mines are closed due to exhaustion of reserve, financial unviability or safety reasons. New mines are being opened to sustain production; which is a continuous process.
It may be mentioned that the estimated quantum of coal in the country in 306.56 Billion Tonnes (As on 01.04.2015). Every year about 3 to 5 Billion Tonnes of coal resources are being added through exploration. At present rate of exploitation, coal reserves will last for decades.
(b) & (c): Efforts is enhancing coal production from domestic sources have helped in reducing coal imports, particularly by the power sector for blending to “Nil”. However, coal is on open general license and depending on one’s requirement it can be imported.
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