India's domestic coal production up 7.8%

In 2009, India increased coal production by 7.8% to 492.95 Mt. According to provisional statistics, the country's total coal imports in 2009 were about 59 Mt, including 24 Mt of coking coal and 35 Mt of non-coking coal.

Indian coal is traditionally high ash coal and of low calorific value. Imported coking coal, mostly from Australia, is mainly used in the steel sector due to quality considerations. Non-coking coal, mostly imported from Indonesia and South Africa, is used in the power sector and in the cement sector, also mainly on cost-quality considerations.