Coal Mines in India List, Major Coal Fields, Types of Coal

List Of Coal Mines In India, Major Coal Fields, Types of Coal

Coal mining extracts coal from underground or open-pit mines for use in energy production & industrial processes. Get complete list of Coal Mines in India state-wise, major coal fields & types of coal

Table of Contents

Coal Mines in India

India has around 319 billion tonnes of coal reserves and is one of the largest coal-producing countries in the world. The major coalfields in India are located in the eastern and central regions of the country, and the coal found in India is primarily bituminous and sub-bituminous in nature.

India has two major types of coal reserves – Gondwana coal and Tertiary coal. One of the most significant and ancient coal reserves worldwide is the Gondwana coal, found in central India, while the Tertiary coal, which is relatively younger, is predominantly found in the northeastern region of India. Both types of coal are used for power generation and other industrial purposes. Gondwana coal is further classified into three categories based on its carbon content – anthracite, bituminous, and sub-bituminous.

List of Coal Mines in India

Here is state wise List of Coal Mines in India.

State	Name of Coal Mines
Jharkhand	Jharia Coalfield
	Giridih Coalfield
	Bokaro Coalfield
	North Karanpura Coalfield
	South Karanpura Coalfield
	Ramgarh Coalfield
	Daltonganj Coalfield
Odisha	Talcher Coalfield
	Ib Valley Coalfield
	Jharsuguda Coalfield
	Rampia Coalfield
	Mand-Raigarh Coalfield
Chhattisgarh	Korba Coalfield
	Hasdeo Arand Coalfield
	Mand-Raigarh Coalfield
West Bengal	Raniganj Coalfield
	Madhya Pradesh:
	Singrauli Coalfield
	Pench-Kanhan Coalfield
	Satpura Coalfield
Telangana	Singareni Collieries Company Limited
Tamil Nadu	Neyveli Lignite Corporation
Maharashtra	Wardha Valley Coalfield
Maharashtra	Pench-Kanhan Coalfield
Assam	Makum Coalfield
	Ledo Coalfield
	Lakhimpur Coalfield
	Borholla Coalfield
	Namdang Coalfield
Meghalaya	Jaintia Hills Coalfield
Meghalaya	Garo Hills Coalfield
Nagaland	Tiru Valley Coalfield
Nagaland	Chumukedima Coalfield
Arunachal Pradesh	Namchik-Namphuk Coalfield

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Types of Coal

The various types of coal found in India include:

Type of Coal	Description
Anthracite	It is the highest quality and rarest form of coal found in India. It has a high carbon content, low ash content, and high heating value.
Bituminous	It is the most commonly found coal in India and accounts for more than 50% of India’s coal reserves. It has a moderate carbon content and is used for power generation, steel production, and other industrial purposes.
Lignite	It is a low-grade coal with a high moisture content and low heating value. It is primarily used for power generation.
Sub-bituminous	It has a lower carbon content than bituminous coal and a higher heating value than lignite. It is used for power generation and industrial purposes.

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Largest Coal Mines in India

The largest coal mine in India in terms of reserves and production is the Jharia Coalfield located in the state of Jharkhand. Jharia Coalfield is estimated to have a reserve of around 19.4 billion tonnes of coal and accounts for over 60% of India’s total coal production. The coal in this field is primarily bituminous in nature and is used for various purposes, including power generation, steel production, and cement manufacturing. However, due to unscientific mining practices, underground fires have been burning in the Jharia coalfield for decades, which has caused significant environmental and health issues for the local population.

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Coal Mines in India Map

A map of coal mines in India provides a visual representation of the location and distribution of coal reserves in the country. Take a look here.

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Coal Mines in India Challenges

Coal Mining in India is faced with several challenges, including:

Environmental degradation: Coal mining has a significant impact on the environment, including air, water, and soil pollution. Mining activities can cause deforestation, soil erosion, land subsidence, and the destruction of wildlife habitats.
Health hazards: Coal mining is associated with several health hazards, including respiratory diseases, skin diseases, hearing loss, and accidents. The workers are exposed to coal dust, which can cause black lung disease and other respiratory illnesses.
Safety concerns: Coal mining is a hazardous occupation, and safety measures are often inadequate. Accidents in coal mines are common, and they can result in loss of life and property.
Land acquisition and displacement: Coal mining requires a large amount of land, and the acquisition of land often leads to the displacement of local communities. Displaced people often lose their livelihoods and face social and economic hardships.
Illegal mining: Illegal mining is a major challenge in India, and it leads to a loss of revenue for the government. Illegal miners often use unscientific mining practices, leading to environmental degradation and safety hazards.
Technological obsolescence: The technology used in coal mining in India is outdated, and there is a need to modernize the mining methods to increase productivity, and efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

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Coal Mines in India UPSC

Coal Mines in India are an important topic for the UPSC examination because it is a crucial component of India’s energy sector and has significant implications for the country’s economic growth and development. UPSC aspirants are expected to have a good understanding of India’s energy sector, its challenges, and the various policies and programs aimed at addressing them. In addition, coal mining in India is associated with several social, environmental, and economic issues, and the UPSC exam often includes questions related to these challenges.

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