<h1>Government approves 30-year mining lease for Namchik-Namphuk coal block; open-cast 0.20 MTPA extraction to begin subject to compliance</h1> The state government approved and signed a 30-year mining lease with a private bidder for the Namchik-Namphuk coal block, following a 2023 auction; environmental and forest clearances have been granted or transferred under the Forest Conservation Act and the state environment authority for an open-cast mine rated at 0.20 MTPA, with projected annual production and royalty revenue. The block, previously allocated to a state mining corporation and suspended in 2012 for terms-of-reference breaches and security concerns, has seen an escrow agreement and allegations of illegal mining prompting calls for investigation. The approval enables imminent extraction subject to compliance with statutory conditions.