The Centre has amended key provisions of the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, to simplify and accelerate approvals for opening coal and lignite mines, a move aimed at cutting delays while retaining statutory oversight.
Under the revised framework, the requirement for prior approval from the Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO) to open mines, seams or sections of seams has been removed. The authority to approve the commencement or resumption of mining operations has now been vested with the board of the concerned coal company.
Earlier, mine owners were required to obtain permission from the CCO not only to open a mine but also to restart operations if a mine had remained closed for 180 days or more. The government said these provisions led to procedural duplication and delayed operationalisation.
“To cut procedural redundancies, boost coal production, and streamline approvals, the government has scrapped the need for prior opening permission from the Coal Controller's Organisation by amending Rule 9 of the Colliery Control Rules, 2004,” the coal ministry said in a statement.
The amendment is expected to reduce mine operationalisation timelines by up to two months, providing greater flexibility to coal producers while ensuring that all mandatory clearances remain in place.
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“As a safeguard, it has been provided that the board of the concerned coal company can approve mine/ seam opening after the requisite approvals from Central/ State Government and statutory bodies have been obtained,” the statement said.
Officials said the revised rules seek to strike a balance between faster decision-making and regulatory compliance by placing responsibility at the highest corporate level. While operational approvals are now decentralised, oversight by statutory authorities remains intact.
The ministry said the reform would help improve efficiency in coal production, enhance ease of doing business, and reinforce confidence in the regulatory framework governing the sector. By delegating approvals to company boards, the government aims to ensure accountability while reducing bureaucratic delays that have historically affected mining timelines.
India continues to rely heavily on coal for power generation and industrial use, and officials believe the streamlined approval mechanism will support efforts to meet rising domestic demand without compromising regulatory safeguards.
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