About the coal sector in India:
- India has the 5th largest geological reserves of coal in the world.
- India is the 2nd largest consumer of coal globally.
- India is also the 2nd largest importer of coal.
- As of 2023, 50.7% of India’s power generation is supported by coal and lignite.
About Coal
- Coal is a readily combustible, black or brownish black sedimentary rock, predominantly made of carbon.
- The precursor to coal is peat. Peat is a soft, organic material consisting of partly decayed plant and mineral matter
Types of coal found in India
- Anthracite: It is the highest grade of coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon.
- It is hard, brittle, black and lustrous. It is found in smaller quantity in regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Bituminous: It is a medium grade of coal having high heating capacity. It is the most commonly used type of coal for electricity generation in India.
- Most of bituminous coal is found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Subbituminous: It is black in colour, dull (not shiny) and has a higher heating value than lignite.
- Lignite: It is the lowest grade coal with the least carbon content. It is found in the regions of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir.
The top three states with highest coal reserves in India are Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh. They account for approximately 69% of the total coal resources.