THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 5, 2026

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday called for accelerating structural reforms in the coal and mining sectors, with a strong focus on coal gasification, critical minerals, artificial intelligence-driven technologies and greater private sector participation to strengthen India's energy security and achieve self-reliance.

Addressing the 4th Conference of Mining Ministers on Reforms in the Mines and Coal Sector in Goa, Reddy said sustained policy reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enhanced transparency, efficiency and professionalism in the mining and coal industries, strengthening their contribution to economic growth.

He stressed that coal gasification must be scaled up to unlock the economic potential of India's vast domestic coal reserves, promote industrial diversification, generate employment and reduce dependence on imported energy resources.

Highlighting the growing strategic importance of critical minerals amid changing global geopolitical dynamics, the minister called for strengthening domestic capabilities across exploration, mining, processing, refining and recycling. Developing an integrated and self-reliant mineral ecosystem is essential to reducing import dependence and safeguarding India's strategic and economic interests, he said.

Reddy also urged state governments to embrace artificial intelligence, digitalisation and advanced technological solutions across mineral exploration, mine operations and resource recovery to improve productivity, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

He called upon states to expedite the operationalisation of auctioned mines, accelerate the auction of fresh mineral blocks and expand exploration activities to tap the country's untapped resource potential.

The minister said mining sector reforms had emerged as an important catalyst for strengthening state economies by attracting investments, generating employment, increasing revenue and promoting development in mining-affected regions.

Emphasising cooperative federalism, Reddy sought closer coordination between the Centre and state governments to accelerate reforms and ensure sustainable and inclusive development of the coal and mining sectors.

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said mining remained a key pillar of India's economic progress, industrial development and energy security.

He highlighted the Centre's initiatives to promote transparent auctions, attract investments and create employment opportunities, while stressing that higher production must go hand in hand with environmental protection, mine safety and community welfare.

Dubey called for incorporating mine rehabilitation and alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities into mining projects from the planning stage itself. He also emphasised the need to increase coal production through modern and safe mining technologies, promote coal gasification and innovative utilisation methods, and strengthen logistics through initiatives such as First Mile Connectivity.

Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Vikram Dev Dutt said India's domestic coal production had crossed the one-billion-tonne mark for the second consecutive year, reflecting significant progress towards energy self-reliance and reduced dependence on imported coal.

He called for further structural reforms to make the sector more competitive, transparent, efficient and investment-friendly, highlighting initiatives such as commercial coal mining, the revised SHAKTI framework and Coal SETU.

These measures are aimed at facilitating greater private sector participation, simplifying procedures and accelerating mine operationalisation, he said.

Dutt described coal gasification as a major opportunity for value addition, industrial diversification and employment generation, urging coal-bearing states to facilitate investments, develop supporting infrastructure and speed up project implementation.

He said the next phase of growth in the coal sector must go beyond extraction and focus on value creation, positioning coal as a catalyst for industrial development, higher state revenues and job creation.

Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal Rupinder Brar made a detailed presentation on recent coal sector reforms, their impact on ease of doing business, and the challenges requiring state-level intervention. She highlighted how simplified procedures, improved transparency and investment-friendly policies were creating a more competitive business environment.

The two-day conference, organised by the Ministry of Mines on November 5-6 in Goa, brought together mining ministers from various states and senior officials from the Centre and state governments to deliberate on reforms, investment opportunities, operational challenges and sustainable mining practices.

The discussions underscored the importance of coordinated policy action, technology adoption and responsible resource development in unlocking India's coal and mineral potential.

The government is seeking to position the coal sector not merely as a source of fuel but as a driver of industrial value addition, energy security, employment generation and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.