The Mahan coal block, of Mahan Coal, in Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, is likely to commence operations in August 2014.

Mahan coal is an equal JV between Hindalco Industries and Essar Energy. The coal block is situated on the periphery of the 925.30 sq km Mohan-van reserve forest and abuts 9.8 sq km of forest.

The company is waiting for the last mining deed to come through. In February 2014, it had received Stage-II forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF). It has also received approval of the mining plan from the Ministry of Coal and a no-objection certificate under Forest Rights Act from the local administration.

The coal block was allocated to Hindalco for its 3.59 lakh tpa aluminium smelter plant at Orgari, in Sidhi district; and to Essar from its 1,200 MW (2 x 600 MW) pithead coal-based power unit in Sidhi district.