Coal India Limited (CIL) is expanding its operations beyond coal for the first time, following a directive from the ministry of mines. The ministry has granted CIL a composite license for prospecting and mining the Khattali Chhoti Graphite Block in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh.
“This marks our initial foray into minerals other than coal,” stated Debasish Nanda, Director of Business Development at Coal India. CIL is obligated to pay a mining premium of 150.05 percent of the mineral value dispatched to the state government. The timeline for obtaining the composite license is one year, with an additional three years allotted for executing the mining lease deed.
Currently, the project is in its early stages, requiring extensive exploration. Coal India has established a special team to concentrate on other critical minerals both globally and within India. Graphite, which is crucial for applications such as batteries, is a significant focus given India’s ongoing electric vehicle revolution.
As reported by ETEnergyworld.com, although it’s too early to estimate the project’s capital expenditure, Nanda mentioned that Coal India will utilize the expertise of its subsidiary, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), during the initial phase.
