Coal blocks handed over in the 12th round of commercial auctions, fetching seven successful bids
The 12th round of coal block auctions in India, conducted from July 28 to July 31, 2025, has been a significant success, with seven coal blocks (three fully explored and four partially explored) being successfully auctioned. These blocks, with a combined geological reserve of approximately 1,761.49 million tonnes, are expected to contribute significantly to enhancing domestic coal production and reducing imports.
The cumulative Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of the fully explored blocks stands at 5.25 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). These auctions are expected to generate an annual revenue of around ₹719.90 crore, attract capital investments of approximately ₹787.50 crore, and create about 7,098 employment opportunities in coal-bearing regions.
The Ministry of Coal has introduced fresh incentives to promote sustainable underground mining with the goal of higher production and reduced environmental impact. This auction round is part of a broader push toward sustainable mining practices and reflects strong investor confidence under India’s transparent, investor-friendly policies.
These blocks contribute to India's ongoing commercial coal mining expansion, aiming to boost domestic coal production, reduce imports, and support energy security through transparent auction processes since 2020. Since the inception of commercial coal mining in 2020, a total of 131 coal blocks have been successfully auctioned.
These initiatives address the nation's energy demands and foster economic stability, contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The auctions witnessed intense competition, achieving an average revenue share of 26.70 per cent. The Ministry of Coal's strategic initiatives aim to transform the coal sector into a key driver of economic growth.
In summary, the 12th round of coal block auctions is a significant step towards India's self-reliance in the coal sector, providing employment opportunities, attracting investments, and boosting domestic coal production.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Auction period | July 28–31, 2025 | | Number of blocks auctioned | 7 (3 fully explored, 4 partially explored) | | Total Geological Reserve | ~1,761.49 million tonnes | | Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) | 5.25 MTPA (fully explored blocks) | | Expected Annual Revenue | ₹719.90 crore | | Expected Investment | ₹787.50 crore | | Employment Generation | ~7,098 jobs | | Number of Coal Blocks Auctioned Since 2020 | 131 | | Average Revenue Share | 26.70% |
- The 12th round of coal block auctions in 2025 saw the successful auction of seven coal blocks, contributing significantly to India's domestic coal production and energy security.
- These auctions generated an annual revenue of around ₹719.90 crore, attracted capital investments of approximately ₹787.50 crore, and created about 7,098 employment opportunities in coal-bearing regions.
- The Ministry of Coal has introduced incentives for sustainable underground mining, thus promoting higher production with reduced environmental impact.
- This round of auctions is part of India's broader push towards sustainable mining practices, reflecting strong investor confidence under the nation's transparent and investor-friendly policies.
- As part of India's ongoing commercial coal mining expansion since 2020, a total of 131 coal blocks have been successfully auctioned.
- The auctions address the nation's energy demands, foster economic stability, and contribute to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to make India self-reliant in the coal sector.
