shares settled nearly 7 per cent higher after hitting a 52-week high on Friday to lead gains on the Nifty 50 after the state-run miner announced a major change in its coal sales policy, allowing direct participation of foreign buyers in its e-auctions.
The stock closed 6.85 per cent higher at ₹427.90 after hitting an intraday high of ₹429.50, against the previous close of 400.45.
In a statement to the stock exchange, Coal India said that, effective January 1, 2026, coal consumers located in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal will be permitted to directly participate in its Single Window Mode Agnostic (SWMA) e-auctions. The company said its board has approved changes to the auction mechanism to enable this move, marking the first time foreign buyers will be allowed direct access to these auctions.
“Opening SWMA e-auctions to foreign buyers reflects CIL’s calibrated approach to market expansion while fully safeguarding domestic coal requirements. This step enhances transparency, competition and global market integration” said a senior company official.
Under the revised framework, foreign buyers will be able to bid alongside domestic consumers through a digital process, supported by advance electronic payments and exports routed through notified logistics channels, with payments governed by FEMA regulations. Investors appear to be factoring in the potential for incremental volumes and improved realizations as Coal India integrates more closely with regional coal markets.
The stock exchange filing emphasised that the company earlier engaged in dialogues with the prospective coal consumers from abroad to categorise the enabling clauses and gauge their need of coal.