The Indian government said on September 11 that six new captive and commercial mines are expected to commence operations in FY27, with three already producing, as 59 thermal power plants face fuel shortages caused by high electricity demand and supply disruptions during the monsoon.

The coal ministry said in a statement that captive mines have remained a key source of coal output, with production rising more than 10% in a year, from 167 million tonnes in FY24-25 to 184 million tonnes in FY25-26.

As of September 10 this year, coal production from captive mines increased by about 5% year on year to 69 million tonnes, compared with 66 million tonnes in the same period last year. The period also covers the monsoon season, when mining and coal evacuation become difficult.

The statement said that together with commercial mines, which produced nearly 26 million tonnes, the capative and commercial segment accounted for about 210 million tonnes in FY25-26, against 191 million tonnes the previous year.

The ministry noted that captive and commercial mines make up about 21% of total domestic coal production, which stood at 1,039 million tonnes in FY26 and remained above one billion tonnes for the second consecutive year.