List of all the Important Coal Mines in India - Major Coal Fields
Important Coal Mines in India: India's coal mining history dates back to the 18th century, when the first coal mine, Raniganj, was established by the East India Company in 1774. With a rich abundance of ancient hard rocks, India holds a significant reserve of diverse mineral resources, prominently coal. This article aims to provide valuable insights into the major coalfields in India
Categorization of Coal Mines in India
Coal distribution in India is categorized into two main types:
Gondwana Coalfields - These coalfields are approximately 250 million years old, making up a staggering 98% of India's total coal reserves and contributing 99% of the coal production in the country. Gondwana coal stands out for its low moisture content and contains phosphorus and sulphur. However, compared to the much older Carboniferous coal, which is around 350 million years old and almost absent in India due to its much younger age, Gondwana coal has a lower carbon content.
Tertiary Coalfields - These coalfields are relatively younger, aging between 15 to 60 million years old. While the carbon content in tertiary coal is quite low, it tends to be rich in moisture and sulphur. Tertiary coalfields are primarily found in extra-peninsular regions, including important areas like Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.
Important Coal Mines in India: Table of Coal Mines, States, and Features/Prominence
| Coal Mine | State | Features/Prominence |
|---|---|---|
| Jharia, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Jayanti, Godda, Giridih (Karbhari Coal Field), Ramgarh, Karanpura, Daltonganj | Jharkhand | Jharkhand is known for its rich coal deposits, and Dhanbad, one of its oldest coalfields, holds some of India's best metallurgical coal, especially coking coal used in steel production. The Gondwana Coalfield in the state is significant for coal exploration and production. Giridih's Karbhari Coal Field is notable for providing the finest coking coal in India for metallurgical purposes. |
| Raniganj Coalfield, Dalingkot (Darjeeling), Birbhum, Chinakuri | West Bengal | West Bengal hosts several coalfields, with Raniganj Coalfield being one of the oldest in India. Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri are chief producing districts in the state. The Gondwana Coalfields in West Bengal are important for coal extraction. |
| Korba, Bishrampur, Sonhat, Jhilmil, Hasdo-Arand | Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh is rich in coal reserves, and the Gondwana Coalfields in the state contribute significantly to India's coal production. |
| Jharsuguda, Himgiri, Rampur, Talcher | Odisha | Odisha's Talcher Coalfield ranks second in reserves after Raniganj, making it a crucial source of coal in the country. The coal in this region is suitable for steam and gas production, extensively used in thermal power plants at Talcher. The state also has Gondwana Coalfields. |
| Singareni, Kothagudem, Kantapalli | Telangana/ Andhra Pradesh | The Godavari Valley houses most of the coal reserves in this region. The coal variety explored here is non-coking, and the workable collieries are located at Kothagudem and Singareni. The state also has Gondwana Coalfields. |
| Neyveli | Tamil Nadu | Neyveli is situated in a Tertiary coalfield in Tamil Nadu, indicating its relatively more recent geological formation compared to the Gondwana Coalfields in other regions. |
| Kamptee (Nagpur), Wun field, Wardha, Walarpur, Ghughus, and Warora | Maharashtra | Maharashtra's coalfields belong to the Gondwana period, representing a significant geological era. |
| Ledo, Makum, Najira, Janji, Jaipur | Assam | Assam's coals are known for their low ash content and high coking qualities, making them ideal for metallurgical purposes. Additionally, the coal from this region is suitable for liquid fuels and hydrogenation processes. The coalfields here belong to the Tertiary period. |
| Darrangiri (Garo hills), Cherrapunji, Liotryngew, Maolong, and Langrin coalfields (Khasi & Jaintia Hills) | Meghalaya | The coalfields in Meghalaya belong to the Tertiary period and are geologically distinct from the Gondwana Coalfields in other parts of India. |
| Singrauli, Sohagpur, Johila, Umaria, Satpura coalfield | Madhya Pradesh | Singrauli, one of the largest coalfields in Madhya Pradesh, is significant for coal extraction and production. The state also has Gondwana Coalfields. |