Forty-six companies have placed their bids for the country’s first commercial coal mine auctions.
Of the 38 mines on auction, 10 mines have received very good response with five-six bidders each, while about 10 more have received more than two bids required to carry the auctions. Some of the companies include--Vedanta Group, Hindalco Adani Group, Jindal Steel & Power, Bharat Aluminium Company and JSW Energy.
There has been no or tepid response for the balance mines on the auctions.
A total number of 82 bids from 46 companies have been received off-line/ physically in the office of the Nominated Authority for 23 coal mines/blocks.
Two or more bids have been received for 20 coal mines/blocks. Each bidder had to submit bids both physically and online.
The interest is likely to be good for big blocks like Radhikapur East and Radhikapur West, Gare Palma IV/1, Gare Palma IV/7, with participation from atleast five to six companies.
Earlier, the Coal Ministry had revised the list of mines to 38 blocks from 41 mines announced earlier following opposition from the Chhattisgarh government. It added three blocks – Dolesara, Jarekela and Jharpalam-Tangarghat – and withdrew five blocks in the eco-sensitive Hasdeo Arand zone.