India Declares Coking Coal Critical Mineral

India has officially notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. This decision, driven by recommendations from the High-Level Committee on Implementation of Viksit Bharat Goals and India===NITI Aayog, aims to significantly reduce India's heavy reliance on imported coking coal, which currently accounts for about 95% of the domestic steel sector's requirements. The reclassification is part of ongoing structural reforms in the mining sector, aligning with the visions of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. It is expected to facilitate faster approvals, improve ease of doing business, and accelerate exploration and mining activities, particularly for deep-seated deposits in states like India===Jharkhand, India===Madhya Pradesh, India===West Bengal, and India===Chhattisgarh. The reform also encourages private investment in exploration and beneficiation, promotes advanced mining technologies, and is anticipated to generate employment across the mining, logistics, and steel value chains. Royalties and auction premiums will continue to accrue to respective state governments.