Government-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) is in the process of finalising documents for developing a total of 27 mines through outsourcing to enhance coal production capacities during the 12th five-year plan, Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil revealed in the Rajya Sabha.

Of the 27 mines, 15 are open-cast mines while the remaining mines are underground. Collectively, the mines have a capacity of 136 MTPA.

Besides taking up production of coal using its own sources, the government-owned coal giant will also outsource some of its operations in order to increase total coal production to meet the soaring demand for the fossil fuel.

The minister said, "Responsibility, of coal production in a few mines of CIL, have been given to few agencies under long term contract through open tender like Bhubaneswari Open-cast project of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd and Rajmahal OCP of Eastern Coalfields Ltd."

In the financial year of 2011-12, CIL failed to meet its revised production target of 440.20 million tones (MT). It could produce only 431.325 MT of coal last financial year. CIL accounts for more than 80 per cent of domestic coal production.

In a reply to Goa MP Shantaram Naik, Patil also reevaled that the authorities are in the process of obtaining statutory clearances and completing the land acquisition process to start coal production from Gare Pelma Sector III coal block. But he admitted that it could take from 36 months to 54 months to start the production. Gare Pelma Sector III coal block will provide coal for upcoming Raigarh-based 188MW thermal power plant, which will supply electricity to Goa.