India's Overall Coal Production Rises To 74.78 Million Tonne In December, Captive Mines Record 40.98 Per Cent Growth: Govt

India’s total coal production increased by 6.74 per cent to 74.78 million tonne (MT) during December 2021 as compared to the same period in 2019, an official release said on Wednesday (5 January).

"Out of the total production during December last year, Coal India Ltd (CIL) achieved a growth of 3.79 per cent by producing 60.220 MT. Captive blocks registered a growth of 40.98 per cent by producing 8.91 MT of coal during the period," the Ministry of Coal said in a release.

At the same time, Singareni Collieries Ltd (SCCL) registered a negative growth of 1.12 per cent by producing 5.65 MT of Coal during December.

According to the minstry, Coal production of financial year 2022 has been compared with FY20 as FY21 has been considered abnormal year due to restriction imposed on commercial activities in the wake of Covid-19.

Coal dispatch increased by 14.62 per cent to 75.05 MT from 65.48 MT during December 2021 as compared to the same month in 2019.

Out of the total production during this period, Coal India Ltd (CIL) achieved a growth of 12.70 per cent by dispatching 60.67 MT of Coal, Singareni Collieries Ltd (SCCL) achieved a growth of 2.01 per cent by dispatching 5.70 MT of Coal and captive blocks registered a growth of 43.23 per cent by dispatching 8.68 MT, the ministry said.

The Power utilities dispatch has grown by 20.06 per cent to 63.32 MT in the month of December 2021 as compared to 52.74 MT in December 2019.

The ministry said that there is fall in import price of coal since the end of October 2021, however, import prices are still at high level discouraging import.

Further, coal based power demand has increased by 12.7 per cent up to November 2021 against the same time frame in 2020.

Coal based power generation has registered a growth of 11.84 per cent in the month of December 2021. The overall power generation in Dec 2021 has been 8.32 per cent higher than the power generated in same month in 2019, the ministry said.

Coal based power generation in the month of December 2021 has been 85,579 million unit (MU) in comparison to 75,620 MU in the previous month and registered a growth of 13.17 per cent.

Total power generation has also increased in December 2021 to 113,094 MU from 103,177 MU in November.

Out of top 35 mines in coal production, 11 of them produced more than 100 per cent and another 12 mines production stood at more than 80 per cent but less than 100 per cent, the ministry said.