Coal India Ltd

History of Coal India Ltd

Coal India Limited (CIL) is a 'Maharatna' Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Coal, Government of India with headquarters at Kolkata, West Bengal. CIL is the single largest coal producing company in the world and one of the largest corporate employers. CIL operates through 85 mining areas spread over eight provincial states of India. CIL has 310 working mines of which 129 are underground, 168 opencast and 13 mixed mines. CIL further operates 13 coal washeries, and also manages other establishments like workshops, hospitals, and so on. The Company produces non-coking coal and coking coal of various grades for diverse applications. Most of the coal production is from open cast mines. Others include cement, fertilizer, brick kilns and a host of other industries. Coal India Limited has ten fully owned Indian subsidiary companies namely Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), CIL Navi Karniya Urja Limited for development of non-conventional/ clean & renewable energy and CIL Solar PV Limited for development of solar photovoltaic module. In addition, CIL has a foreign subsidiary in Mozambique namely Coal India Africana Limitada (CIAL). Further CIL has five Joint Venture companies- Hindustan Urvarak & Rasay ...an Limited, Talcher Fertilizers Ltd., CIL NTPC Urja Pvt. Ltd., Coal Lignite Urja Vikas Private Limited & International Coal Venture Private Limited. The mines in Assam i.e. North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) is managed directly by CIL. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd is having four (4) Subsidiaries, SECL has 2 Subsidiaries and CCL has 1 subsidiary. Similarly, Dankuni Coal Complex also continues to be on lease with South Eastern Coalfields Limited. MCL has three subsidiaries viz. MNH Shakti Ltd., MJSJ Coal Ltd. and Mahanadi Basin Power Ltd with 70%, 60% and 100% equity holding respectively. Starting from a humble production of 79 million tonnes in 1975, Coal India Limited has grown to become the nation's largest coal producer, achieving a record-breaking 781.06 million tonnes in 2025. During 2012-13, SECL incorporated two subsidiary companies viz M/s Chhattisgarh East Railway LTD on 12 March 2013 and M/s Chhattisgarh East- West Railway Ltd on 25 March 2013 with 64% holding in each of the subsidiary. The company's coal production operations are primarily carried out through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in India. In addition, another wholly owned subsidiary, CMPDIL, carries out exploration activities for their subsidiaries and provides technical and consultancy services for their operations as well as to third-party clients for coal exploration, mining, processing and related activities. Coal India Limited (CIL) as an organized state owned coal mining corporate came into being following the nationalization of coal industry in India. Coal India Ltd was incorporated on June 14, 1973 as a private limited company with the name Coal Mines Authority Ltd. During the year 1975-76, the name of the company was changed from Coal Mines Authority Ltd to Coal India Ltd. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd, Eastern Coalfields Ltd, Western Coalfields Ltd, Bharat Coking Coal Ltd and Central Coalfields Ltd became the subsidiaries of the company. During the year 1979-80, the company constructed the low temperature carbonized plant started in Dankuni Coal Complex. During the year 1980-81, they constructed five new washeries, namely Moonidih washery, Ramgarh washery, Mohuda washery, Barora washery and Kedla washery. During the year 1985-86, the company formed Northern Coalfields Ltd and South Eastern Coalfields Ltd as subsidiaries of the company to manage certain mines managed by WCL and CCL. During the year 1987-88, they introduced 'Blasting Gallery Method' at East Katras mine under BCCL and Chora mine under ECL. During the year 1992-93, the company formed MCL as their subsidiaries to manage mines Talcher and IB valley in the state of Orissa. During the year 2006-07, the Department of Public Enterprises, GoI, awarded 'Mini Ratna' status to the company and to MCL, NCL, SECL and WCL. During the year 2007-08, CCL was awarded the 'Mini Ratna' status by the Department of Public Enterprises. During the year 2008-09, the company was awarded 'Navratna' status by the Department of Public Enterprises, GoI, taking into consideration the company's operational efficiency and financial strength. The Navratna status gives greater operational freedom and autonomy to the management in decision making. During the year 2009-10, the company was converted into a public limited company. The company established of Coal India Africana Limitada, a foreign subsidiary in Mozambique. Also, CMPDIL was awarded 'Mini Ratna' status by the Department of Public Enterprises, GoI. The company was awarded Scope Excellence Award by the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises for the year 2007-08. In March 30, 2010, the company signed an MoU with their administrative ministry - Ministry of Coal - for its key performance areas for the fiscal 2010-11. As per the MoU for the fiscal 2010-11, CIL's targeted production and coal off-take have been pegged at 461.5 Million Tonnes (MTs) and 462.5 MTs respectively for attaining an 'Excellent' rating. In October 2010, the company made an initial public offer of shares and their shares were listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange with effect from November 4, 2010. In December 2010, the company signed an MoU with Shipping Corporation of India Ltd for promoting a joint venture company. In March 7, 2011, the company bagged a prestigious International award in Geneva. The company was conferred with the 'Century International Quality ERA Award (CRE) in the Gold Category in recognition of commitment to quality, leadership, technology and innovation. In April 11, 2011, the company was conferred with 'Maharatna Status' by the Government of India. Government of India introduced the Maharatna scheme in February 2010 for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE), in order to empower the mega CPSEs to expand their operations and emerge as global giants. In May 17, 2011, the company became the most valuable PSU with a market capitalisation of Rs 2.51 lakh crore. In 2012 Coal India signs MoU with Government. The company also CIL signs FSA with 14 power companies. CIL gets 116 mines from government to boost output In 2014 Coal India signs MoU with Government for 2014-15. Coal India and Tata Medical Centre join hands. Coal India announces Rs. 235 Crores for Clean India initiative. In 2015, the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Coal India Limited signed a Memorandum of Agreement to impart skill training to 1.7 lakh people. The company along with GAIL (India) Ltd, Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers Ltd (RCF) and Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) entered into a Joint Venture (JV) agreement on 27 October 2015 for incorporation of Rashtriya Coal Gas Fertilizers Ltd. to establish and operate new coal gasification based Fertilizer Complex (Ammonia Urea Complex) at Talcher along with power plant and associated facilities at Talcher unit of FCIL and to market its products. On 17 May 2016, Competition Appellate Tribunal allowed CIL's appeal setting aside the orders of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposing penalty of Rs 1773 crore on CIL in relation to complaints filed by various power and non-power companies on 9 December 2013. The case was remitted back to CCI for it to hear the matter again on merits and pass fresh orders. The Board of Directors of CIL at its meeting held on 28 May 2016 approved 6.29% increase in coal prices with effect from 30 May 2016 to be applicable to all subsidiaries of CIL and NEC for regulated and non-regulated sectors. The company's Board also approved the differential price for Non-Regulated Sector at a reduced rate of 20% over the price of Regulated Sector for G6 to G17 grades of coal for all subsidiaries of CIL. On 28 June 2016, Coal India Limited (CIL) and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited signed two agreements for the implementation of 200 MW solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh for the beneficial utilisation of solar power by Northern Coalfields Limited and South Eastern Coalfields, each at an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore. Northern Coalfields Limited and South Eastern Coalfields are both subsidiaries of CIL. The Board of Directors of CIL at its meeting held on 11 July 2016 approved share buyback programme for buyback of up to 10.89 crore equity shares through the Tender Offer process at a price of Rs 335 per equity share for an aggregate consideration not exceeding Rs 3650 crore. On 27 September 2016, CIL announced one time offer of 20 Mt coal under Special Spot e-auction. On 3 July 2017, CIL announced auction of coal linkages (Tranche III) for non regulated sector as per policy guidelines issued by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. Chhattisgarh East Rail Ltd (CERL) - East Rail Corridor in the state of Chhattisgarh - Phase - I - Kharsia to Korichhapar (0-44 KM) was commissioned on 12th October 2019. In year 2021, 3 projects of 30 MTA capacity viz. Kusmunda PH-I (10MTPA), Lingaraj (16 MTPA) and Krishnashila (4 MTPA) had been commissioned. 9 coal projects, with a sanctioned capacity of 27.60 MTY and sanctioned capital of Rs 1976.59 Crores were completed with a total capital of Rs. 1958.89 Crs. during the year 2020-21. During year 2022, the Company commissioned the rail connectivity projects including, Lingaraj SILO with Deulbeda siding at Talcher Coalfields of MCL, Under Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited Project of Phase I, the Main corridor between Kharsia to Dharamjaigarh of 74 KM stretch and CHP-SILOs of Kusmunda PH-II (SECL) and Sonepur Bazari (ECL). 5 coal projects with a sanctioned capacity of 12.60 MTY and sanctioned capital of Rs 1769.41 Crores were completed with a total completion capital of Rs 1727.66 Crs. during the year 2021-22. In the first phase, out of the planned 35 FMC Projects of 414.5 MTPA capacity awarded at a capital investment of Rs. 10,750 Cr. 6 FMC Projects of 82 MTPA capacity viz. Kusmunda PH-I (10MTPA), Lingaraj (16 MTPA), Krishnashila (4 MTPA), Block-B Rail Connectivity, Kusmunda PHII (40 MTPA) and Sonepur Bazari (12 MTPA) have been commissioned till 31st Mar' 2022. In the second phase, out of the 9 FMC Projects of 57 MTPA with an estimated investment of about Rs. 2,500 Cr., LoA/WO have been issued for 3 FMC Projects of 14 MTPA capacity in FY 2021-22, viz. Kumardih- B CHP of 1 MTPA, Hura C CHP-SILO of 3 MTPA and Mungoli- Nirguda CHP-SILO of 10 MTPA capacities. Tori-Shivpur New BG Double Rail line (43.70 KM) was commissioned, thus enabling coal evacuation from the Greenfield areas of North Karanpura Coalfield in CCL. It commissioned Jharsuguda -Barpali- Sardega New BG single line (52.41 KM), thus enabling coal evacuation from the Greenfield areas of Basundhara Coalfield of MCL. Rail Connectivity of Lingaraj SILO with Deulbeda siding at Talcher Coalfields of MCL was commissioned in Jul'21 which has resulted in an incremental evacuation capacity by ~ 5 MTPA. The Main corridor from Kharsia to Dharamjaigarh (0-74 KM) was commissioned in June, 2021. The first block section of the spur line from Gharghoda to Bhalumuda (0-14 Km) was commissioned. During the year 2022-23, Mahanadi Coal Rail Ltd (MCRL) -Angul- Balram rail link (14.22 Km) in Talcher coalfield, of Odisha was commissioned in November, 2022. The Company commissioned 7 First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects and rail lines of 92 MTPA capacity in 2023. Madhuband Washery (5 MTY) commenced operations on 29.11.2023. During the year 2024, six Continuous Miners have been deployed as part of strategy to boost UG mechanization with Mass Production Technology. Further, three Highwall Miners have been commissioned during FY 24 in ECL, WCL and SECL. Company commissioned the operational Madhuband Washery of 5 MTY to enhance coking coal beneficiation capacity. Additionally, five coking coal washeries with a total capacity of 14.5 MTY are being established in Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). A pilot project for the installation of online analysers has been completed at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). In FY 2024-25, CIL commissioned two rapid-loading silos and a computerised Coal Handling Plant at Dipka (SECL), increasing capacity from 15 MTPA to 40 MTPA, commissioned India's largest non-coking washery (10 MTPA). It commissioned 114 MW ground mounted solar projects [20 MW in Piparwar, 4 MW in Giridih] at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), 50 MW in Patnagarh at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), 20 MW in Bishrampur at South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), and another 20 MW in Dugdha at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)] and 12.11 MW Rooftop solar projects across different subsidiaries. MoU signed to set up R&D hub for carbon capture and mine automation. In FY 2024-25, the launch of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER) at CMPDI, Ranchi, marked a major step towards sectoral collaboration. This institution was instrumental in forging research Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with IIT-Hyderabad and IIT(ISM) Dhanbad. First O&M concession washery model launched at BCCL. On May 21, 2024, a new subsidiary company by the name 'Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited' (BCGCL) was incorporated for the coal gasification business. Coal Gas India Ltd was incorporated as a subsidiary Company on 25th March, 2025 for Coal to SNG plant business.