Last year, national demand for coal reached 652 million metric tons, 70 percent of which was used in coal-fired generation. But since India only mined 540 million metric tons, the nation had to import 112 million metric tons — nearly equivalent to what it pulled out of Chhattisgarh’s mines in 2012. India’s newest Five-Year Plan calls for coal mining to nearly double by 2017, which will be led, in part, by Southeastern Coalfield’s march towards 118.2 million metric tons of coal production, a 5 percent rise over last year. (Image © Aubrey Ann Parker / Circle of Blue)