By Enersider Desk | New Delhi
Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, said India’s coal and mineral sectors are witnessing a transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the country works to balance surging energy demand with bold sustainability goals.
Speaking at the Energy Leadership Summit organised by Economic Times, the Minister noted that coal production and dispatch had crossed 1 billion tonnes in 2024-25, with demand projected to touch 1.6 billion tonnes by 2030.
To address this growth sustainably, he said, the government is turning coal into a driver of green growth. The Coal Gasification Mission aims to achieve 100 million tonnes by 2030, supported by an ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme, with seven projects already underway.
Coal PSUs are also diversifying into renewables, having already installed 1,900 MW of solar and wind capacity, with a target of 15 GW by 2030. Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) alone is working towards 10.11 GW of clean energy capacity.
On the environmental front, Reddy highlighted that more than 57,000 hectares of mined land have been successfully reclaimed, with another 16,000 hectares to be restored by 2030 under Mission GREEN Coal Regions.
Turning to mining reforms, the Minister informed that 542 mineral blocks, including 34 critical minerals, have been successfully auctioned. He added that AI-driven modelling, drone surveys, and remote sensing are accelerating exploration efforts, with 13 exploration licenses already awarded.
Reddy also underlined India’s growing global footprint through the National Critical Minerals Mission, which focuses on building strategic stockpiles and securing overseas assets. To compliment this, a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling critical minerals and new Centres of Excellence are being launched.
Concluding his address, the Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given us a clear vision of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
