Kolkata, April 02: State-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL) is exploring lithium blocks in Australia and Argentina as part of its strategy to diversify beyond coal, Chairman P M Prasad said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the 11th Asian Mining Congress and the 11th International Mining Exhibition, Prasad said the company is targeting a production of 875 million tonnes (MT) and an offtake of 900 MT in the 2025-26 fiscal year. CIL currently accounts for over 80% of India’s domestic coal production.
Prasad stated that a price hike of Rs 10 per tonne for both coking and non-coking coal, effective from April 16, would have only a minor impact on the company’s revenue.
As of March 31, 2025, CIL’s pithead stock stood at 106 million tonnes, the highest level recorded so far, he said.
CIL’s move into critical minerals, including lithium, aligns with global trends emphasizing the importance of these resources for clean energy technologies and reducing reliance on coal.
