Coal India Limited Wins Kawalapur Rare Earth Elements Block in Maharashtra

Coal India Limited has received a significant regulatory approval from the Ministry of Mines, marking an important development in the company’s long-term mineral diversification strategy. The Ministry has awarded a Composite License for Grant of Mineral Concession to Coal India, in accordance with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as amended from time to time.

The Composite License has been granted by a domestic authority and relates to the Kawalapur REE and RM block, covering an area of 398 hectares. This block is classified for Rare Earth Elements (REE) and associated minerals, which are increasingly critical for clean energy technologies, electronics, defence manufacturing, and electric mobility. The allocation strengthens Coal India’s presence beyond conventional coal mining and aligns with India’s broader objective of securing strategic mineral resources domestically.

As per the terms of the license, Coal India will initially operate under the Composite License framework and is expected to transition into a full-fledged Mining Lease holder after a period of five years. The mining lease deed will be executed by the respective State Government, subject to compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. This structured timeline provides Coal India with a clear pathway from exploration to mining operations.

The award has been made entirely on a domestic basis, with no involvement of international entities. There is no interest held by the promoter, promoter group, or group companies of Coal India in the entity awarding the license. Additionally, the transaction does not fall under related party transactions, ensuring full compliance with governance and disclosure norms.