The production
of coal in the country has increased from 313.70 million tonnes
in 2000-01 to 327.79 million tonnes in 2001-02. The Indian coal,
due to its "drift origin" is, in general, having high
non combustible matter resulting in generation of ash. The ash
content in Indian coal varies widely from around 10 per cent
to 50 per cent. However, Indian coal is having low sulphur content,
generally less than 0.5 per cent except tertiary Assam coal.
The setting
up of new non coking coal beneficiation plants at pit-head is
required mainly on environment consideration. Presently CIL
is operating six washeries for beneficiation of non coking coal
namely Dugda, Lodna, Kargali, Gidi, Piparwar and Bina. Government
encourages washing of high ash coal by private washeries.
The total coal
reserves in the country as on 1.1.2003 are 240.748 billion tonnes,
out which 90.085 billion tonnes are proven reserves, 112.613
billion tonnes are indicated reserves and 38.050 billion tonnes
are inferred reserves.
This information
was given by the Minister of Coal, Shri Kariya Munda, in a written
reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
