State-run miner Coal India (CIL) is looking to produce around 806-810 million tonnes of coal in the current financial year, against a production target of 838 million tonnes.

“Three to four companies — Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL), Western Coalfields (WCL), Eastern Coalfields (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) — are in advance of (production) their targets. For one company, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL), which has bigger mines, we have to see how much it will come up in the next 75 days of the year. The production is picking up every day,” Coal India Chairman PM Prasad said on Friday in Kolkata, on the sidelines of an event to announce the upcoming 11th edition of the Asian Mining Congress, 2025.

“We are still planning to produce 806-810 million tonnes of coal for FY25. We are drilling in some mega mines. But we cannot cover it in the next 75 days,” Prasad replied to a question on the achievable production target that the coal major is looking at for this fiscal.

Production up

Coal India’s production grew 2.2 per cent year-on-year to 543.4 million tonnes during the first nine months of the current financial year from 531.9 million tonnes in the same period of the last financial year.

Notably, speaking at an event to celebrate the coal behemoth’s 50th Foundation Day in November last year, the Chairman said CIL might end FY25 with a production shortfall of around 15 million tonnes against the production target of 838 million tonnes due to delays in land, environmental and other clearances.

“Our target, though it was 838 million tonnes…we have committed to the ministry (Coal Ministry) of around 822-823 million tonnes, less than 15-16 million tonnes, because of various reasons of land, environmental and other clearances,” Prasad had said.

On Friday, he said the miner remained optimistic about meeting the coal production target for the next financial year. “In FY26, our target is almost close to 900 million tonnes. We are very much optimistic that next year there will be good growth,” the CIL Chairman said.

“Overall, in FY25, there will be a growth in total coal production in India,” he added.

The country’s domestic coal production during the April-October, 2024 period posted an increase, reaching 537.57 million tonnes compared to 506.93 million tonnes in the year ago period.

Imports down

Coal imports during the April-October period of the financial year 2024-25 witnessed a decrease of 3.1 per cent, reaching 149.39 million tonnes compared to 154.17 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the last financial year.

The 11th edition of the Asian Mining Congress will be held in Kolkata during October 30-November 2, 2025.