Eight more coal blocks are in the queue and will be put up for auction after the third round of auction is completed in August, Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said on Wednesday.
Addressing a conference on Metals and Minerals organised by the Indian Chambers of Commerce, Swarup said, "There is plenty of coal that is available. We have identified eight more blocks which would be offered after the third round of auction. In a years time, we believe that coal will cease to be problem."
In the third round of auction which is expected to be complete by August 17, 10 blocks are on offer for the unregulated sectors of steel, cement and captive power plants.
Swarup added that he expects fewer bids from aluminium companies leaving more coal available for the steel sector. "Most of the aluminium plants have already bid and won in the previous two rounds," he said.