New Delhi, May 23 -- The Centre is looking at partnering with private companies to hunt for coal deposits as it sets out to tap its vast reserves of the fossil fuel amid growing power demand.

Currently exploration in carried out exclusively by government entities like the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), Geological Survey of India, Mineral Exploration Corporation (MECL), and state-government agencies.

According to the Action Plan for FY26 of the union coal ministry, the government will look at promoting participation of the private sector in coal exploration with state-run entities. A new exploration strategy is in the works as the ongoing scheme to boost exploration of coal is scheduled to end this fiscal.

Exploration...