Coal Ministry to set new washeries with PSU Coal India

The Ministry of Coal, in collaboration with Coal India, is set to establish new coal washeries across the country to optimize coal processing and reduce dependency on imported coal. These washeries aim to improve the quality of domestic coal, enhancing its utility for power generation and industrial use.

To ensure the efficient use of existing resources, a special committee has been formed to oversee the optimal utilization of old coal washeries, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing coal infrastructure and maximizing the output from current assets.

 

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In a significant development, top officials from Coal India and the Ministry of Coal recently held a crucial meeting with CMDs of coal power plants that rely on imported coal. The discussions revolved around the possibility of Coal India supplying coal to these plants, a move that could significantly reduce India's reliance on costly imports.

As of now, India has a substantial coal stockpile of over 100 million tonnes (MT). The Ministry of Coal is actively considering strategies to reduce imports, particularly for industries like cement, steel, and the National Coal Index (NCI) power plants, which are among the major consumers of imported coal.

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This strategic shift underscores the government’s broader agenda of enhancing self-reliance in energy production and reducing foreign exchange outflow due to coal imports.

The collaboration between the Coal Ministry and Coal India is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.

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