India's Journey to Reducing Coking Coal Imports

Coal India Limited Chairman P M Prasad announced that while India cannot fully substitute coking coal imports, a portion can be reduced by enhancing domestic production. The country imported 57.22 MT of coking coal in 2023-24. Plans are underway to boost coal production to 1.5 billion tonnes in the next few years.

On Monday, Coal India Limited Chairman and Managing Director P M Prasad stated that while it is impossible to fully substitute coking coal imports, India can reduce dependency by increasing domestic production.

Data from mjunction services ltd indicates that India's coal import in 2023-24 totaled 268.24 million tonnes, including 57.22 MT of coking coal. Coking coal, also called metallurgical coal, is vital for producing coke, a key ingredient in the steel-making process.

During a stakeholders' meeting on mining operators and the Star Rating of Coal Mines Award Ceremony, Prasad emphasized the importance of mining projects and collaboration to achieve an ambitious production target of 1.5 billion tonnes in the next four to five years.

(With inputs from agencies.)