Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Limited to jointly explore opportunities in advanced coal and lignite gasification. This strategic collaboration, announced on January 19, 2026, aims to assess the feasibility of gasifying GMDC’s coal blocks in Odisha and lignite reserves in Gujarat. The initiative focuses on pilot projects, end-use applications, and commercialization frameworks for syngas production, supporting national energy security goals.
Strategic Collaboration for Gasification Technology
Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC), an enterprise of the Government of Gujarat, has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Limited, a Government of India Maharatna company. The agreement, effective in January 2026, centers on the joint exploration of opportunities related to the gasification of coal and lignite resources and their subsequent downstream utilization.
Key Areas of Joint Exploration
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework focusing on several critical aspects to realize the potential of these resources:
- Pilot Projects for Gasification: GMDC will spearhead pilot initiatives covering both surface and underground coal and lignite gasification to confirm technical feasibility and scalability potential.
- Exploration of End-Use Applications: NTPC will assess the techno-commercial viability and market potential for the resulting syngas across various industrial sectors.
- Joint Production and Commercialisation: Successful pilots will lead to mutually agreed frameworks for the structured production, marketing, and commercialization of syngas.
- Time-Bound Action Plan: Both organizations will collaboratively formulate a detailed, time-bound plan to ensure systematic progression of the initiative.
Complementing Existing Roadmaps
This agreement is set to strengthen GMDC’s existing efforts, which include preliminary assessments for downstream product commercialization and engaging technical partners. The integration of NTPC’s domain expertise in large-scale energy systems is expected to provide significant institutional momentum to GMDC’s gasification roadmap.
Leadership Commentary
Shri Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC, commented that the collaboration reflects GMDC’s commitment to innovation-led growth. He emphasized that exploring gasification technologies provides a greener pathway to creating greater value while supporting national objectives related to energy security and industrial development.
About Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited
GMDC is recognized as one of India’s leading state-owned mining enterprises. As the largest merchant seller of lignite in the country, GMDC operates five lignite mines across Kutch, South Gujarat, and the Bhavnagar region, catering to critical energy and industrial requirements across Gujarat.
Source: BSE
