Ministry of Coal Notifies 18 QCI-NABET Accredited Private Agencies to Fast-Track Coal, Lignite Exploration

Key facts

• The Ministry of Coal notified 18 private agencies accredited by Quality Council of India–National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (QCI-NABET) as prospecting agencies.
• The notification allows coal block allottees to directly hire these agencies for prospecting work.
• Exploration and preparation of geological reports are mandatory before a mine can be operationalised.
• Expanding the pool of prospecting agencies aims to accelerate exploration, improve flexibility for mine allottees and enable quicker enhancement of coal and lignite production to meet rising energy requirements.
• Adding more authorised agencies is expected to save about six months previously spent on agencies obtaining prospecting licences.