Coal ministry amends rules to let company boards approve new mine openings
The Ministry of Coal has notified the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2025, allowing coal company boards to approve the opening of new mines, seams or sections of seams. The change removes the need for prior permission from the Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO), aiming to speed up coal production while retaining statutory safeguards. The amendment modifies Rule 9 of the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, which earlier required coal and lignite mine owners to secure CCO approval…