Economy ยท GS3
Coking coal classified as a critical mineral
One line
The government added coking coal to the critical and strategic minerals category under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957.
Summary
Coking coal is a key input for blast-furnace steel production. India has domestic resources but relies heavily on imports for the steel sector, which creates foreign-exchange and supply-chain exposure.
PYQ pattern
UPSC frequently links critical minerals with industrial supply chains, import dependence, geological occurrence, and strategic autonomy. Review the official UPSC question-paper archive.
Core notes
- The notification amended the First Schedule of the MMDR Act under Section 11C.
- PIB reported estimated resources of 37.37 billion tonnes, concentrated mainly in Jharkhand.
- It said about 95% of the steel sector's coking-coal requirement was met through imports.
- Critical-mineral classification can change the allocation, exploration, and regulatory pathway. It does not create production immediately.
Prelims lens
- Coking coal has properties suitable for producing coke used in steelmaking.
- Thermal coal is mainly burned for heat or electricity and is not interchangeable with metallurgical-grade coking coal.
- The MMDR Act governs mining and mineral development in India.
MCQ 1
Coking coal is most directly associated with:
- A. Blast-furnace steel production
- B. Solar-cell doping
- C. Cotton ginning
- D. Vaccine storage
Reveal answerHide answer
A
Coking coal is converted into coke, an important input in the conventional blast-furnace route for steelmaking.
MCQ 2
Consider the following statements:
- The January 2026 notification placed coking coal in the critical and strategic minerals category.
- The notification itself guaranteed an immediate end to imports.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 only
- C. Both 1 and 2
- D. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answerHide answer
A
The legal classification changed. Exploration, mine development, beneficiation, and steel-sector demand determine actual import substitution.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: Why does mineral security require more than adding a mineral to a critical list?
Approach:
- Explain coking coal's industrial role and import dependence.
- Discuss exploration, mine development, washing, logistics, and technology.
- Examine environmental costs, land conflict, and long project timelines.
- Suggest recycling, material efficiency, diversified imports, and cleaner steel routes.