The world’s largest coal miner, CIL, is planning to acquire coking coal mines in Australia as it looks to supplement the requirement of the country’s metallurgical coal.
"The Government of Australia has put on offer some coking coal blocks. Coal India (CIL) has initiated dialogues with the Australian government with regard to acquiring some mines there," a source privy to the development has been quoted in news reports. "The discussions with the Australian government are underway for the last two to three months," the source said.
India’s dependence on imports is particularly heavy on coking coal which is a vital ingredient in the steel making process.