This report profiles India’s coal industry, discussing market trends through 2014 and outlook for 2015 and beyond. The report also highlights leading players in the sector including Coal India Ltd, Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd and Adani Enterprises Ltd.

The Indian coal industry is one of the eight core industries of the country and is dominated by public sector undertakings, particularly Coal India Ltd. The industry involves coal and lignite mining, production and trading. Despite the presence of abundant resources, India has been facing persistent coal shortage in the last few years and has become a net importer of coal to meet its growing energy requirements. The Ministry of Coal allows production of coal from allocated coal blocks for captive use only. Mainly companies from power, steel and cement own coal blocks in India. The coal mines are a property of the government and it has the sole right to mine and produce coal from it, which sometimes results in inefficient use of available resources.

After a tough year in FY14, domestic coal production saw significant growth in FY15. The growth was primarily due to the higher capacity utilization recorded by Coal India Ltd. Despite higher production, increase in coal demand led to a 33% y/y rise in coal imports. However, the profit margins of coal players took a hit due to a decline in coal prices and simultaneous rise in operational costs. Reforms in the coal sector and faster clearances have the potential to increase the annual production of coal in India.

Key Points:

• Eastern India had the largest proven coal resources in the country. The four eastern states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal accounted for 79% of the country’s proven coal reserves as of FY14.

• The mining sector contributed 2.8% to India’s GDP (at factor prices) as of FY15. The sector grew at a CAGR of 2.5% during 2012-15. Coal production accounted for 26% of the mining sector GDP, while lignite accounted for 2%.

• As of FY14, 82% of the country’s total coal production came from Coal India Limited. Singareni Collieries Company Limited accounted for 9%, while others contributed around 9%.

• After a strong performance in coal production during 2008-10, the sector took a beating in subsequent years, partly due to the repercussion of coal block allocation scam. However, it recorded a significant recovery in FY15, growing by 8.4% y/y.