Coal remains a cornerstone of India’s energy sector, fueling a significant portion of the country’s power generation and industrial activities. In 2024, despite growing interest in renewable energy, coal continues to play a vital role in meeting India’s energy demands. India’s vast coal reserves are distributed across several states. Each of these states is contributing to its overall production.
1. Jharkhand
Jharkhand tops the list of the highest production of coal in India. It is also called as coal heart of India because it has the largest share of the country’s coal reserve. Jharkhand contributes to nearly 26.4 per cent of coal reserves which amounts to 83.15 billion tonnes in India. Some of the major coalfields of Jharkhand are the Dhanbad coal belt and Bokaro coalfield. The coal type that is produced in Jharkhand is bituminous coal. Bituminous coal is mainly used in the production of coke and blast furnaces. Coal production in Jharkhand bloomed during World War 2 after the discovery of the steam engine.
2. Odisha
The next state that is the highest producer of coal in India is Odisha. Odisha carries more than 24 per cent of the total coal reserves, which are nearly 79.30 billion tonnes. Most of the coal deposits in Odisha are found in Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and Sudargarh districts. The main reason for the highest coal reserve in Odisha is its geology. Odisha has 75% of its area occupied by Precambrian metamorphic rocks which hosts the majority of the minerals. Further, the main coalfield of the state is Talcher. Talcher Coalfield is located in the Angul district of Odisha and it is the major centre of coal production. The region is famous for its extensive coal field, coal-based industries and thermal power generation.
3. Chhattisgarh
The third largest producer of coal in India is Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh has 16% of India’s coal deposits, which are estimated to be 44,483 million tonnes. The Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines in Chhattisgarh are among the world’s largest, producing more than 100 million tons of coal annually. The state is known for having significant deposits of high-quality thermal coal, which is crucial for power generation. Also, the presence of large coal mining companies like Coal India Limited and South Eastern Coalfields Limited further boosts coal output in the state.
4. West Bengal
West Bengal is the fourth largest coal-producing state in India. It accounts for 11 per cent of the total country’s coal reserve. West Bengal is the home to the world’s second-largest coal mine Deocha-Panchami coal block. The coal block is located in the Birbhum coalfield of the state. The mines have an estimated reserve of 2102 million tonnes. Also, West Bengal has the oldest coal mines in India – Raniganj coal belt. Raniganj coal belt has been operational since 1774 and it is considered as the birthplace of coal mining in India. One other unique feature of the Raniganj coal belt is that it includes nearly 100 active coal mines.
5. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is famous for its vast and richest coal reserves in India. The state is home to some of the famous coalfields in India such as Singrauli, Satpura and Pench Valley. Singrauli Coalfield is called the energy capital of India. It is called the energy capital of India because of its immense coal production that powers several thermal power plants in the region. The coal reserves of Madhya Pradesh primarily consist of high-grade thermal coal. Thermal coal is a significant supplier for power generation and industrial use. The final reason for the high production of coal in Madhya Pradesh is because of coal mining operations managed by Northern Coalfield Limited. NCL’s contribution to the management of coal production in Madhya Pradesh supports India’s overall coal output in India.
In conclusion
These highest coal-producing states in India play a crucial role in sustaining the country’s energy needs and industrial growth. These states, with their rich coal reserves and extensive mining infrastructure, continue to drive the nation’s coal production, ensuring a stable supply for power generation and other industries. The coal-producing states of India are essential in supporting both the economic growth and energy security of the country.