CIL is planning to increase its coal production capacity to 556 million tonnes by 2016-17.
The firm has identified 142 projects, which include 107 open cast and 35 underground mining schemes with a capacity of 380.22 million tonnes.
The firm is also in the process of setting up 20 new coal washeries with a combined capacity of 111.1 million tonnes and is upgrading its machinery.
Coal India chairman and managing director N C Jha told PTI that about 68 projects that include ongoing schemes which are awaiting various environment and forestry clearances and have been in pending for long.
"We will start work on these projects as soon as the clearances are granted. Clearances would enable us to take a decision on purchase of machinery and equipment for expansion," Jha said.
