‘No reason why new entrants to coal mining can't be successful'
Coal Insights|November 2020
In India, there are few scholars of repute who have been studying coal as a source of fuel and its importance to the economic life of the country. Dr. Rahul Tongia, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a not-for-profit Think Tank, ranks high among them. His recent book, Future of Coal in India: Smooth Transition or Bumpy Road Ahead? was recognized as a Top Energy Policy Book of 2020 globally, by Book Authority. He discusses with Sumit Maitra of Coal Insights issues and factors that will transform the coal sector post the commercial coal mine auction
Rahul Tongia
‘No reason why new entrants to coal mining can't be successful'

The recently concluded commercial coal mine auction attracted modest interest considering number of bids and average premium registered. But the event also saw non-traditional players, from real estate entities to relatively unknown industrialists who might be trying their luck in this newly opened up sector. What would be the long term phenomenon of this on coal sector dynamics? Would they bring in fresh perspective, practices and efficiencies into the coal mining sector or the complexities of the mining sector would be too overwhelming for them to make any positive contribution to this sector?

A successful coal mining entity requires skills and expertise across multiple dimensions including not just finance and technical capabilities but also project management, community engagement, negotiations, etc.

It’s premature to judge whether any entity may be successful or not a priori. How can you judge a startup, which is valued as being disruptive? On the other hand, a track record gives comfort as well as a sense of how they would operate.

The key need is for a stakeholder with a long-term vision and the ability to see through short-term ups and downs. This means a willingness to commit funds and personnel locally as well as take decisions that can be scaled up and sustained.

This story is from the November 2020 edition of Coal Insights.

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This story is from the November 2020 edition of Coal Insights.

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