Coal India to make materials for explosives to beat rising costs; to produce 700,000 tons of ammonium nitrate

Coal India Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of the fuel, will add production of a key ingredient used in explosives for mining as it aims to tackle surging costs.

The company plans to produce around 700,000 tons a year of ammonium nitrate, about half the amount it consumes, amid efforts to protect profit margins, according to people familiar with the details, who asked not to be identified as they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.