The Ministry of Coal announced that 91 coal mines have been successfully auctioned over three years in seven tranches under commercial coal mining since the first auction in 2020. Out of these, nine mines have received all necessary permissions, and five of them have commenced production. In the fiscal year 2023, commercial mines produced 7.2 million tonnes of coal.

The methodology for the auction of commercial coal mines includes provisions for scenarios where there are fewer than two technically qualified bidders. If less than two bidders qualify for a mine, the first auction attempt for that mine is canceled, and a second auction attempt may be initiated with approval from the competent authority. If there is only one bidder in the second attempt, the matter is referred to the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (ECoS) to make an appropriate decision regarding mine allocation.

To date, 11 coal mines have been allocated to different bidders with the approval of ECoS based on single bids submitted after the second auction attempt. Despite repeated offers in the last seven rounds, many mines listed for auction received no bids.