Potential investors seek more clarity on commercial coal mining norms

Potential private investors have sought more clarity on the pricing mechanism proposed for the much-anticipated auction for commercial coal mining. In three separate meetings with Union coal ministry officials, some industry personnel also pointed out that the efficiency parameters specified by the government’s discussion paper on the subject are too stringent and the coal ministry must relax the operational timelines proposed in it.

Few private firm representatives demanded that the offered mines should come up with “pre-embedded” clearances to reduce the time required for starting production. The industry pointed out that the paper was silent on infrastructure for coal evacuation and sought the Indian Railways’ inputs on the subject.