Coal production begins at Urtan and Dhirauli mines in MP; Urtan is first underground mine under commercial auctions
The Coal Ministry said on 19 May 2026 that production had begun at the Urtan mine in Anuppur and the Dhirauli mine in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, with Urtan the first underground mine to produce under the commercial coal auction regime.
Summary
The Ministry of Coal announced on 19 May 2026 that coal production had begun at the Urtan and Dhirauli coal mines in Madhya Pradesh. The Urtan mine in Anuppur district, allocated to JMS Mining Private Limited, began production on 15 May 2026 and is the first underground coal mine to start production under the commercial coal auction regime. The Dhirauli mine in Singrauli district, allocated to Mahan Energen Limited, began production on 17 May 2026. The ministry said the new output would help meet rising domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports.
Key facts
- Urtan
- Anuppur district, MP; JMS Mining Pvt Ltd; production from 15 May 2026
- First
- Urtan: first underground mine to produce under commercial coal auctions
- Dhirauli
- Singrauli district, MP; Mahan Energen Ltd; production from 17 May 2026
- Aim
- Higher domestic supply, lower imports
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which coal mine became the first underground mine to start production under the commercial coal auction regime in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Urtan, Anuppur
The Urtan mine in Anuppur district, MP, began production on 15 May 2026 as the first underground mine under commercial auctions. Dhirauli also began production but is not described as underground.
The Dhirauli coal mine, which began production on 17 May 2026, is in which district of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: C — Singrauli
Dhirauli is in Singrauli district and is allocated to Mahan Energen Limited.