India eyes private investment to open 41 new coal mines

(Climate Home News, 19 Jun 2020) The Indian government is opening coal mining to private investment in the hope of creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, following an economic slump triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

However the move threatens valuable forests and indigenous land rights, while expanding a polluting and financially challengedindustry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the auction of 41 coal mining blocks to private companies on Thursday, in a major shake-up to the sector which is dominated by state-controlled Coal India. Modi said the move would help reduce India’s reliance on energy imports and develop the eastern and central parts of the country.

“People of these districts are aspiring for development but have lagged behind,” he said, adding 16 districts in these areas had “huge stocks of coal” but people had not been able to benefit from this mineral wealth.

External link

Climate Home News, 19 Jun 2020: India eyes private investment to open 41 new coal mines