Government Expects More Aggressive Coal Block Auctions

New Delhi: On the third day of auction on Monday, the government said it expects more aggressive bidding for coal blocks as the mines on offer are already producing.

"Certainly one must appreciate that these (mines on offer) are producing mines. So there will be more aggressive bids for these mines as we move towards mines which are not very easy to operate or which are in more remote areas," Power, Coal and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here.

Three mines which are on offer on Monday are Mandla North, Marki Mangli III and Trans Damodar.

The government is auctioning 19 mines in the first lot.

The auction which began last week will last till February 22.