Coal Ministry signs first commercial coal mine agreements with Underground Coal Gasification provisions
The Ministry of Coal on 28 April 2026 signed Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements for four mines from the 14th round of commercial auctions — the first in India with embedded Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) provisions.
Summary
Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) with embedded provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) were signed for the first time by the Ministry of Coal on 28 April 2026, for four mines from the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions. Reliance Industries Limited won the Recherla and Chintalpudi Sector A1 mines, and Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited won the Dip Extension of Belpahar and Tangardihi East mines, located in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. UCG converts coal into synthetic gas in situ within the seam, unlocking deep or thin seams that conventional mining cannot access. With these, agreements under commercial coal auctions cover 138 mines with a peak rated capacity of 331.544 MTPA.
Key facts
- Signed
- 28 April 2026; four CMDPAs, 14th round of commercial auctions
- First
- Commercial coal mines with embedded UCG provisions
- Reliance Industries
- Recherla; Chintalpudi Sector A1
- Axis Energy Ventures
- Dip Extension of Belpahar; Tangardihi East
- States
- Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
- Total so far
- 138 mines; 331.544 MTPA peak rated capacity
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What was the 'first' about the four coal mine agreements signed by the Ministry of Coal on 28 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — First commercial coal mines with embedded Underground Coal Gasification provisions
They are the first tranche of commercial coal mines in India with embedded provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG).
Consider the following statements about the coal mine agreements with UCG provisions signed on 28 April 2026: 1. The mines were allotted under the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions. 2. All four mines are located in Jharkhand. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the mines are in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.