The Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, addressing the 4th Conference of Mining Ministers on Reforms in the Mines and Coal Sector in Goa, highlighted the transformative journey of India's coal and mining sectors under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He emphasised that sustained reforms have enhanced transparency, efficiency and professionalism, strengthening the sectors' contribution to national economic growth and energy security.
Focusing on the priorities of the coal sector, Shri G. Kishan Reddy underscored the need to accelerate Coal Gasification for the optimum utilisation of India's abundant coal resources. He highlighted its potential to unlock the economic value of domestic coal, promote industrial diversification, generate employment and strengthen the country's long-term energy security.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Critical Minerals in the evolving global geopolitical landscape, the Minister stressed the need to strengthen domestic exploration, mining, processing, refining and recycling capabilities. He emphasised that developing a self-reliant mineral ecosystem is essential to reducing import dependence and strengthening India's strategic and economic resilience.
Emphasising the transformative role of technology, Shri Reddy called upon State Governments to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation and advanced technological solutions across exploration, mine operations and mineral recovery. He highlighted that technology-driven practices would improve productivity, operational efficiency and sustainability in the mining and coal sectors.
The Minister urged States to expedite the operationalization of auctioned mines, accelerate the auction of new blocks, expand exploration activities and adopt technology-driven practices to unlock the full potential of their mineral resources. He also highlighted how mining sector reforms have strengthened State economies, attracted investments, generated employment opportunities and enhanced revenue generation, while promoting development in mining-affected regions.
Reaffirming the spirit of Cooperative Federalism, Shri G. Kishan Reddy called for stronger coordination between the Centre and States to unlock India's mineral and coal potential, strengthen the mining ecosystem and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. He expressed confidence that collective efforts and a shared roadmap would take India's mining and coal sectors to new heights, contributing significantly to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Addressing the conference, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, stated that the mining sector is a key pillar of the country's economic progress, industrial development and energy security. He highlighted the wide-ranging reforms being undertaken by the Central Government, including transparent auction processes, promotion of investment, creation of new employment opportunities and efforts to accelerate mining activities.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing sustainable and responsible mining, environmental protection, mine rehabilitation and the welfare of communities residing in mining-affected areas. He stated that plans for post-mining rehabilitation and the creation of alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities should be incorporated from the very beginning of mining operations to ensure that environmental and social interests are protected alongside development.
He also stressed the need to increase coal production while promoting safe and modern mining technologies, coal gasification, innovations in coal utilisation and initiatives such as First Mile Connectivity. Furthermore, he called upon States to share their experiences and best practices and work towards addressing challenges in the mining sector.
Addressing the conference, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, highlighted the significant progress made by India's coal sector and its vital role in strengthening the country's energy security and driving economic growth.
He noted that domestic coal production had surpassed one billion tonnes for the second consecutive year, marking a significant achievement in India's journey towards energy self-reliance and reducing dependence on imported coal.
Shri Vikram Dev Dutt emphasised the importance of continued structural reforms to make the coal sector more competitive, transparent, efficient and investment-friendly. Highlighting key initiatives such as Commercial Coal Mining, the revised SHAKTI framework and Coal SETU, he underlined the need to promote greater private sector participation, simplify processes and accelerate the operationalisation of coal mines.
He highlighted Coal Gasification as a major opportunity for value addition, industrial diversification and employment generation. He urged coal-bearing States to actively facilitate investments, support infrastructure development and accelerate project implementation to realise the sector's immense potential.
Stressing the importance of technology, digitalisation, sustainable mining practices and efficient logistics, the Secretary called for stronger Centre-State collaboration to unlock the full potential of India's coal and mineral resources.
He reiterated that the next phase of growth in the coal sector must move beyond extraction towards value creation, positioning the sector as a catalyst for industrial development, stronger State revenues, employment generation and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
At the conference, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, delivered a detailed and comprehensive presentation highlighting the recent reforms undertaken in the coal sector, their role in enhancing Ease of Doing Business, and the key challenges and expectations from States. The presentation outlined how these reforms are simplifying procedures, improving transparency, facilitating investments and creating a more business-friendly environment for stakeholders. It also emphasised the importance of stronger Centre-State collaboration in addressing emerging challenges and accelerating the pace of reforms. These initiatives are paving the way for a more efficient, competitive and sustainable coal sector, thereby contributing to India's energy security and economic growth.
The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, organised the 4th Conference of Mining Ministers on 5–6 November 2026 in Goa, bringing together Mining Ministers from various States and senior officials from the Central and State Governments. The conference provided an important platform for interaction and exchange of views on various aspects of the mining sector. Discussions focused on the progress, opportunities and challenges in the sector, while encouraging States to share their experiences, initiatives and best practices.
The deliberations at the 4th Conference of Mining Ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued reforms and coordinated efforts between the Central and State Governments in strengthening India's coal sector.
With a focus on accelerating coal gasification, promoting commercial coal mining, leveraging advanced technologies, facilitating investments and ensuring sustainable mining practices, the Ministry of Coal remains committed to unlocking the full potential of India's domestic coal resources. The emphasis on value addition, operational efficiency, private sector participation and cooperative federalism will play a crucial role in positioning India's coal sector as a key driver of industrial growth, energy security, employment generation and economic development.