The government has classified coking coal as a critical mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, highlighting its strategic importance for the steel industry.
The move is expected to simplify approvals for mining and exploration, encourage domestic production, and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imports, which currently meet about 95% of demand.
Following the announcement, Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) shares rose nearly 5%, while Coal India gained around 3%, reflecting investor optimism about the policy’s impact on the steel supply chain.