The Mining Boom

India's increasing coal projects drive a surge in mining equipment demand!

Geology and Reserves of Indian Coal

India ranks second amongst the coal producing countries of the world in terms of annual coal production. However, in respect of coal resources, it is endowed with less than 1 per cent of world coal resources.

41 coal mines on offer for commercial coal mining

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the auction process of 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, through video conference. The Coal Ministry in association with FICCI launched the process for auction of these coal mines. A two stage electronic auction process is being adopted for allocation of the coal mines.

Towards better Mining

The measures announced by the government for mining industry are expected to have a positive impact in the coming years.

41 coal mines on offer for commercial coal mining

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the auction process of 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, through video conference.

Govt to auction 27 coal mines

The Ministry of Coal has begun the process of auction of 27 coal mines and allotment of 15 blocks to public sector undertakings.

Privatisation of coal mining

India's coal demand-supply balance still remains tilted in favour of coal imports as the state-run miners, Coal India and the Singareni Collieries Company have been unable to entirely meet India's coal demand, especially for higher grade thermal coal/washed coal and coking coal.

ValvTechnologies appoints new VP

ValvTechnologies, Inc, manufacturer of zero-leakage severe service isolation valve solutions, announced the appointment of Ron Anselmo as Vice President, Key Accounts. Based in the Houston, Anselmo will have senior management responsibility for sales growth through the development and management of executive, technical and commercial relationships for key accounts with major customers, licensors and engineering firms.

Poor response to coal mines auction; govt cancels fifth round

Poor response from bidders has forced the government to annul the fifth round of coal mines auction. The government in a notice to the bidders, said, ?The tender process for the coal mines being auctioned under fifth tranche of auction of coal mines has been terminated in accordance with Clause 3.3.2(b) of the tender document

Indian Mining Poised to Boom

CIL plans 15 washeries

To improve the quality of coal, CIL will set up 15 new washeries for both coking and non-coking categories and three are likely to be commissioned next year.

Proving its Mettle

Mala Kumar Engineers is a mining star with a fleet of crawler excavators and rock breaker from Volvo CE. A Delhi-based contract mining services provider, Mala Kumar Engineers Pvt Ltd (MKEPL)

A Healthy Outlook

Increasing investments and cargo traffic point to a healthy outlook for India?s ports sector. Cargo traffic, which was 976 million metric tonne (mmt) in 2012, is expected to reach 1,758 mmt by 2017.

Mining Growth

India is on track to overtake the US as the second-largest coal consumer after China this decade. India wants to more than double coal output to 1.5 billion tonne by 2020. The central government has already taken specific actions including e-auctions of coal blocks; 28 blocks are already allocated and more blocks to be e-auctioned soon.

Mining as a Demand Puller

India is well endowed in terms of most minerals and the country?s mining sector has great potential. While demand for commodities has been strong, supply has been constrained. This has resulted in increased import.

Coal Ministry to take up restructuring of Coal India Ltd

The coal ministry has prepared action plan for restructuring of state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL). This is to improve overall operational efficiency of the company. CIL has seven subsidiaries. The company has missed the coal production targets in 2013-14. While considering the restructuring issue, the government is likely to increase the delegation of powers to all the CIL subsidiaries.

Coal India to develop coal bed methane reserves

Union Minister of State for Coal Pratik PrakashBapu Patil has said that Coal India (CIL) is pursuing development of coal mine methane (CMM) from its mining areas as it would be beneficial on mine safety as well as environment. Ministry of Coal has made CMPDI, the Nodal Agency for development of coal mine methane in India. At Moonidih mine of Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL), CIL/CMPDI has successfully implemented a CMM demonstration project, which is funded by the Union government.

Govt promotes research in coal, lignite sectors

Minister of State for Coal, Pratik PrakashBapu Patil informed Rajya Sabha that the Indian government was promoting R&D activities in coal & lignite sectors for improving efficiency and efficacy of coal. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) is responsible for R&D activities in coal & lignite sectors, the minister said

CIL meets over 90% of its supply commitment: Govt

The Union Minister of State for Coal Pratik PrakashBapu Patil has recently said in the Rajya Sabha that the Coal India (CIL) has been meeting more than 90 per cent of its supply commitment as against the annual plan target finalised by the Ministry of Coal/Planning Commission. The gap between demand and supply of coal in the country is to be met through coal imports, he added.

ICVL identifies 5 overseas assets

CS Verma, Joint Chairman of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) informed that ICVL has identified at least four or five good coking coal mines in Australia, the US and Mozambique for acquisition. International Coal Ventures (ICVL), a consortium led by SAIL, is conducting due diligence on these assets. It may be recalled that ICVL was formed in 2009 by public sector firms like NTPC, Coal India, NMDC and Rash

Govt to hire consultant to restructure Coal India

Government is in the process of hiring an external consultant to advise on the restructuring of Coal India (CIL) for a long term sustainability roadmap. The government is learnt to have shortlisted nine consultants for the purpose. Meanwhile, agency reports quoted Coal Minister Prakash Jaiswal as saying that he was not in favour of splitting the state-run CIL. The minister has reportedly said

India's import of steel scrap, coal set to rise

Some analysts expect import of steel scrap and coal to rise because of shortage in the domestic availability of iron ore and coal. Decline in domestic iron ore production on the back of ban on mining in Karnataka and Goa prompted consumers of ore to import steel scrap from abroad. Some reports suggest that India's import of metal scrap almost doubled from $7 billion in 2009-10 to $13 billion in 2012-

Cabinet allows SAIL, RINL to charter ships directly

State-run steel makers SAIL and RINL received approval from the union cabinet to charter ships directly without going through the government's chartering organization TRANSCHART for importing coal and other raw materials. The move would facilitate better control of logistics, shipping and operations of importing coal and other raw material from overseas, a government statement

BCCL to engage contractor for mine operation

Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) is a state-run company engaged in mining of coking coal and allied activities. The firm meets almost 50 percent of the total prime coking coal requirement of the integrated steel sector.

Capital infusion helps BCCL shore up networth

Recently, the networth of the country's largest coking coal producer Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) turned positive after several years following the fund infusion by Coal India (CIL). BCCL's net worth is learnt to have been exhausted by accumulated losses of about Rs 5,600 crore till March

SAIL ropes in Lanco Infra to develop Tasra coal block

Lanco Infratech has been roped in by the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to develop Tasra coal block, which was given to the latter by Bharat Coking Coal in 1996. While Lanco, Adani and some smaller players bid for the project, SAIL found Lanco to be technically and commercially fit for the contract

JSPL picks up 31.49% stake in Gujarat NRE Coking Coal

Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) bought only 31.49 per cent stake in Gujarat NRE Coke's Australian subsidiary at the end of its open offer. JSPL earlier aimed to acquire a majority stake in Gujarat NRE Coking Coal, the Australian subsidiary of Kolkata-based Gujarat NRE Coke, through outright purchase of shares

Fuel price rise shrinks margins

India has been witnessing a high rate of inflation and continued increase in interest rates for a long time now. One of the most recent impacts was on the auto industry which has increased prices across the board.