Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has successfully resumed coal production at its long-discontinued PB Project, operating under the innovative Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) model. Awarded to Eagle Infra India Limited for a 25-year tenure, the project is set to supply approximately 52 million tonnes of primarily coking coal—crucial for India’s steel and infrastructure sectors—over its lifecycle. This achievement signifies a major step forward for BCCL and the broader Coal India ecosystem, as it becomes the first operational MDO mine within the CIL group, exemplifying India’s strategic move toward revitalizing legacy assets through private sector participation.
The initiative underscores India’s commitment to energy self-reliance by leveraging private sector efficiency, introducing advanced mining technologies, and reducing dependency on imported coking coal. Under a transparent revenue-sharing model, BCCL will receive 6% of the gross revenue, establishing a benchmark for equitable public-private partnerships in the mining sector. The project is also expected to generate employment, stimulate regional economic growth, and promote sustainable resource utilization, aligning with national goals for economic development and energy security.
The milestone was virtually inaugurated by Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman of Coal India Limited, who praised the project as a “pioneering step” with transformative potential. Leaders including Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State Shri Satish Chander Dubey, and Secretary of the Ministry Shri Vikram Dev Dutt highlighted the project’s significance in turning legacy challenges into opportunities for community empowerment and sustainable growth. CMD of BCCL, Shri Samiran Dutta, expressed deep gratitude to all stakeholders, reaffirming the company’s dedication to Mission Coking Coal, import reduction, and a self-reliant India.
