TFP Bureau, New Delhi, June 16, 2025: The Ministry of Coal on Monday opened bids for the 12th round of commercial coal block auctions, excluding six underground coal blocks. The latest round has attracted significant interest from private players, marking a continued shift towards a liberalised and competitive coal market in India.
According to an official release, bids were received for 11 out of the 22 coal blocks on offer in the current round. A total of 41 bids were submitted, both online and offline, indicating sustained investor confidence in the coal sector. The blocks opened for bidding are spread across various states and include both coking and non-coking varieties.
The bid opening ceremony, overseen by the Ministry’s Nominated Authority, was conducted transparently with electronic decryption of online bids, followed by the opening of sealed physical documents in the presence of representatives from participating companies. The entire process was live-streamed on-screen for bidders, ensuring transparency.
Breakdown of Bidding Activity
In the 12th round, 38 bids were submitted for eight coal blocks, while under the 2nd attempt of the 11th round, three coal blocks were re-offered, receiving one bid each.
Among the most contested blocks were:
- Phutamura block, receiving the highest number of bids (13),
- Chitarpur (Revised) and Cholapathar, each with six bids,
- Mahuagarhi with four bids,
- West of Tubed with five bids.
Blocks such as Tambia South (coking coal) and Patal East (Western Part) received a single bid each, while all three blocks in the 2nd Attempt of the 11th Round — Jawardaha South, Margo East, and Margo West — received one bid apiece.
Strong Participation from New and Established Firms
The Ministry revealed that 27 companies submitted bids in this round, with more than 10 firms participating in the commercial coal auction process for the first time. This increasing participation from new entrants reflects rising optimism in the coal mining sector following policy reforms introduced over recent years.
Notable participants include:
- Jindal Steel and Power Ltd
- Damodar Valley Corporation (with 4 bids)
- Sunflag Iron & Steel Co. Ltd
- Western Coalfields Limited
- Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited
First-time participants such as Adas Mining and Infra Pvt Ltd, Alom Solar Pvt Ltd, and Shyama Biocons Pvt Ltdhave also entered the fray, demonstrating the growing diversity of interest in the sector.
A full list of bidders includes established mining firms, power companies, and emerging players from the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.
Next Steps: Technical Evaluation and E-Auction
The Ministry has announced that all bids will be assessed by a multi-disciplinary Technical Evaluation Committee. Bidders who qualify technically will be invited to participate in the electronic auction, which will be conducted via the MSTC portal in the coming days.
The 12th round of auctions continues the government’s push to enhance private sector participation in coal mining, reduce coal imports, and promote energy self-reliance. By encouraging open and competitive bidding, the Ministry aims to ensure efficient resource allocation while generating significant revenue for resource-bearing states.
A Key Driver in India’s Energy Future
The Ministry of Coal reiterated that India’s coal sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s energy security strategy. As India accelerates towards its target of becoming the world’s third-largest economy, commercial coal mining is expected to play a vital role in powering industrial growth, generating employment, and supporting local development in mineral-rich regions.
The success of the 12th round is seen as another positive step in realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) through greater transparency, competition, and innovation in the coal sector.
