India to auction eight coal blocks in January 2016

The Indian government today kick-started the process for the fourth round of e-auctioning of eight coal blocks, which is slated for January 18-22 next year.

The last three rounds of auction have generated proceeds of more than Rs 3 lakh crore, which would be realised over 30 years by states where the mines are located.

"It has been decided to auction eight Schedule III coal mines earmarked for non-regulated sectors like, iron and steel, cement and captive power plants in the fourth tranche.

The e-auction for these mines will be held from January 18 to January 22, 2016," Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said addressing the media here.

Directions have been issued to Joint Secretary, Coal, Vivek Bhardwaj, who is the nominated authority to conduct the auction, and the notice inviting tenders will be issued tomorrow, Swarup said.

"Commencement of sale of tender document will start from December 31 while the vesting order by the nominated authority to successful bidders will be issued by March 10," the Secretary said.

The coal blocks to be put under the hammer include Brahmapuri and Suliyari in Madhya Pradesh, Bundu and Gondulpura in Jharkhand, Gondkhari and Khappa & Extn in Maharashtra and Jaganathpur A and Jaganathpur B in West Bengal.

Together these mines are expected to have total reserves of 1,143Mt, with peak production estimated at 12.9Mt.

Asked how much the government plans to raise from this fresh round of auction, the Secretary said the same depends on the response from bidders.

Swarup said 34 blocks had been allocated or auctioned under Schedule II (either producing or likely to produce mines), of which one is under litigation and seven of them have recorded over 5-MT output.

The rest, he said, are likely to start production "in next two to three months" as all issues including necessary clearances, stamp duty, handing over of assets etc have "fortunately been resolved on the intervention of Prime Minister who himself reviewed the projects".

Mining leases have been granted in 29 cases and remaining four will also get it soon, he said.

The Supreme Court in September last year had cancelled allocation of 204 coal mines to companies without auction.

The Secretary said Coal India is "well on way of achieving 550 million tonne coal production target" for the current fiscal and has crossed the 300-MT output mark this week.

Source: PTI

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Physics of Coal and Mining Process

Around the world, on average, four coal miners die for each million tons of coal recovered. Improving the safety of mining work while responding to the need for increased coal production, however, is impossible without further development of the physics of mining processes. A relatively new branch of science, it tackles problems that arise during mineral products recovery, particularly safety issues such as rock failures, coal and gas outbursts, and methane explosions.

The first book to present a unifying methodology for addressing problems such as outbursts and explosions of methane in coal mining, Physics of Coal and Mining Processes integrates theoretical and experimental research on coal and bearing rocks and examines the anthropogenic processes that occur during deep underground mining.

The book summarizes the results of recent and established research, including studies conducted at the Institute of Physics of Mining Processes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, headed by the author. Key topics covered include rock mass in multi-component compressive stress fields and phase conditions of methane in coal. The book also examines state-of-the-art instrumentation and physical methods of analysis, among them x-ray analysis of coal structures combined with computer simulation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with gas chromatography.

Bridging the gap between the academic theory and the practice of coal mining, the book proposes novel methods to predict rock mass condition, control gas-dynamic phenomena, and estimate safe mining loads. A useful reference for scientists, technicians, and engineers working in the coal industry, it also offers an overview of the physics of mining processes for students pursuing careers in the field.

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Subsequently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued new regulations; Congress has passed the first major revision of the mine safety law since 1977 and has taken further bills under consideration; and state legislatures in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Illinois have tightened their own laws.

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Make in India - Mining

SUMMARY

• 50 year mining leases.
• 302 Billion Tonnes of coal reserves.
• The number of operational mines were 3025 during 2014-2015.
• India is the 6th largest iron ore reserve in the world. India is 8th largest bauxite ore reserve in the world.
• India is 4th largest iron ore producer in the world and 5th largest bauxite ore producer in the world.

REASONS TO INVEST

• India has vast minerals potential with mining leases granted for longer durations of 50 years.
• The demand for various metals and minerals will grow substantially over the next 15 years.
• The power and cement industries also aid growth in the metals and mining sector.
• India’s strategic location enables convenient exports.
• India’s per capita steel consumption is four times lower than the global average.
• India has the world’s 8th largest reserve base of bauxite and 6th largest base of iron ore, accounting for about 5% and 8% respectively of total world production.
• India is 4th largest iron ore producer in the world and 5th largest bauxite ore producer in the world.

STATISTICS

• India produces 88 minerals – 4 fuel-related minerals, 10 metallic minerals, 50 non-metallic minerals and 24 minor minerals.
• In 2014-15, India had 3025 operative mines – excluding mining areas for minor minerals, crude petroleum, natural gas and atomic minerals.
• India is slated to become the second largest producer of steel by 2015.
• Crude steel production increased at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2008–2011 to result in 76.7 Million Metric Tonnes.

GROWTH DRIVERS

• With the Indian economy expected to grow by approximately 7% in the years to come, sectors such as infrastructure and automobiles will receive a renewed thrust, which would further generate demand for power and steel in the country. This is expected to provide a major thrust to the demand of minerals like coal and iron ore.
• Minerals like manganese, lead, copper, alumina are expected to witness double digit growth in the years ahead. There is significant scope for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite, and coal.
• India has an advantage in the cost of production and in conversion costs of steel and alumina.
• Sustained growth in India’s automotive sector has been driving demand for steel and aluminium.
• The power sector accounts for a large share of the consumption of aluminium and coal in the country.
• Infrastructure projects continue to provide lucrative business opportunities for steel, zinc and aluminium producers.
• Demand for iron and steel is set to continue, given the strong growth expectations for the residential and commercial building industry.
• India has the 301.56 Billion Tonnes coal reserves as of April 2014. Production of coal stood at 540 Million Tonnes and 557.7 Million Tonnes in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
• India ranks fourth globally in terms of iron ore production. In 2013, the country produced 136.02 Million Tonnes of iron ore.

FDI POLICY

• FDI up to 100% is allowed in exploration, mining, minerals processing and metallurgy under the automatic route for all non-fuel and non-atomic minerals including diamonds and precious stones.
• Mining and mineral separation of titanium-bearing minerals and ores, its value addition and integrated activities fall under the government route of foreign direct investment up to 100%.
• FDI in coal mining is allowed for captive consumption only.

SECTOR POLICY

• As per Mines & Minerals Development and Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2015 all mining leases for major minerals shall be granted for the period of 50 years. Mining leases in respect of notified minerals such as bauxite, iron ore, limestone and manganese ore shall be granted through auction.

THE NATIONAL MINERAL POLICY, 2OO8 :

• The NMP enunciates measures like assuring rights to next stage mineral concession, transferability of mineral concessions and transparency in the allotment of concessions in order to reduce delays which are seen as impediments to investment and technology flows in the mining sector in India. The policy also seeks to develop a sustainable framework for optimum utilisation of the country’s natural mineral resources for the industrial growth in the country and at the same time improving the life of people living in the mining areas, which are generally located in the backward and tribal regions of the country.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

NEW AMENDMENTS TO MMDR ACT, 2015 :

• Mineral concessions will be granted only through auction.
• Auction for mining leases for bulk minerals; auction of prospecting licences-cum-mining leases for deep-seated minerals.
• Uniform lease period of 50 years; no renewals; auction at the end of lease period.
• Transition period of minimum 15 years for captive mines and 5 years for other mines; Central Government empowered to prescribe deadlines for various processes and to issue binding directions to States.
• The previous approval of the Central Government will not be required for grant of mineral concession except for Atomic Minerals, Coal and Lignite.
• Enabling powers for reservation for the public sector to continue.
• Higher penalties and jail terms for offences; special courts may be constituted, if necessary.
• District Mineral Foundation to take care of people and areas affected by mining.
• Nationals Mineral Exploration Trust to be set up for impetus to exploration.
• Easy transferability of concessions obtained through auctions so as to attract private investment and FDI.
• Powers to Central Government to intervene even where State Government do not pass orders within prescribed time lines; this will eliminate delay.
• KEY PROVISIONS OF THE 2O15-2O16 UNION BUDGET:
• Changes, if necessary, in the MMDR Act, 1957 to be introduced to encourage investment in the mining sector and promote sustainable mining practices.
• The Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on ships imported for breaking up is being reduced from 5% to 2.5%.
• Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on coal-tar pitch is being reduced from 10% to 5%.
• Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on battery waste and battery scrap is being reduced from 10% to 5%.
• Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on steel grade limestone and steel grade dolomite is being reduced from 5% to 2.5%.
• Full exemption from basic customs duty is being granted to pre-forms of precious and semi-precious stones.
• The variation level and the parameter of measurement with respect to re-import of cut and polished diamonds after certification/grading from a foreign laboratory/agency are being increased as a trade facilitation measure.
• Under the existing provisions of Section 35 AD of the Act, an investment – linked tax incentive is available by way of allowing deduction of the whole of any expenditure of capital nature (other than expenditure on land, goodwill and financial investment) incurred wholly and exclusively for purpose of the “specified business” during the previous year in which such expenditure was incurred.
• In order to promote investment in new sectors, few more businesses have been added under the above section. Those related to the mining sector are:                                                                  1.  Laying and operating a slurry pipeline for the transportation of iron ore.                                  2. The above business shall begin operations on or after 01.04.2014. It also has the condition of lock-in period of 8 years for use of assets.

FISCAL INCENTIVES:

• One-tenth of the expenditure on prospecting, extraction and production of certain minerals during five years ending with the first year of commercial production is allowed as a deduction from the total income.
• Export profits from specified minerals and ores are eligible for certain concessions.
• Minerals in their finished form are exempt from excise duty.
• There is low customs duty on capital equipment used for minerals on nickel, tin, pig iron and unwrought aluminium.
• Capital goods imported for mining under the EPCG scheme qualify for concessional customs duty subject to certain export obligations.

STATE INCENTIVES

• Each state in India offers additional incentives for industrial projects, related to specific sector. Incentives have been provided in areas such as subsidised land cost, the relaxation of stamp duty on the sale or lease of land, power tariff incentives, a concessional rate of interest on loans, investment subsidies and tax incentives, backward areas subsidies and special incentive packages for mega projects.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

IRON & STEEL:

• The iron and steel segment offers a product mix which includes hot rolled parallel flange beams and columns rails, plates, coils, wire rods, and continuously cast products such as billets, blooms, beams, blanks, rounds and slabs as well as metallics and ferro alloy.

COAL:

• The coal market consists of primary coal such as anthracite, bitumen and lignite.

ALUMINIUM:

• The aluminium segment includes alumina chemicals, primary aluminium, aluminium extrusions and aluminium rolled products.

BASE METALS:

• The base metals market consists of lead, zinc, copper, nickel and tin.

PRECIOUS METALS & MINERALS:

• The precious metals market includes gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium and diamonds.

FOREIGN INVESTORS

BHP Billiton (Australia), Rio Tinto (Australia), Vedanta Resources (UK), Indian Resources Limited (Australia), JFE Steel Corporation (Japan),Australian Indian Resources (Australia),China Steel Corporation (Taiwan), NSL Consolidated (Australia), Kolar Gold (Guernsey)

AGENCIES

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India

Federation of Indian Mineral Industries

The Geological Survey of India

The Indian Bureau of Mines

The Aluminium Association of India

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