India lines up one of biggest mineral block allocations

The Indian government has firmed up plans for the auction of coal and other mineral blocks during 2017/18, billed as one of the biggest ever allocations of natural resources to private and government miners and mineral processors. According to officials in the Coal and Mining Ministries, the series of auctions lined up over the coming year would not only offer the highest number of mineral blocks, but also qualitatively change the dynamics of India's mining sector by opening up the coal sector for miners to undertake commercial production and sell the dry fuel, without any restrictions.