Coal India to open first overseas trading office in Singapore to pursue iron ore and critical minerals

Singapore office as a new overseas trading platform

Coal India Ltd, the world's largest coal producer, is establishing its first overseas trading office in Singapore, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. The unit will support trading in iron ore as well as critical and strategic minerals, and will also serve as a base for pursuing overseas mineral asset acquisitions. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are not public.

Iron ore and critical mineral diversification

The Singapore office is intended to help Coal India expand its critical minerals business, pursue overseas asset acquisitions and support its existing iron ore business, one of the sources said. The push forms part of a broader effort by Indian state-run companies to secure overseas supplies of critical minerals such as lithium and bauxite and to reduce dependence on China, though similar efforts have so far yielded limited results.

Regulatory filing and target jurisdictions

Coal India has applied with Singapore authorities to register the office, the sources said. Coal India did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company is also evaluating mineral opportunities in Africa, Chile and Canada, including bauxite assets in Ghana and other parts of Africa, according to one source.

Sector and policy backdrop

The diversification move comes as Indian state-run firms intensify overseas mineral acquisition efforts to support clean energy ambitions and domestic manufacturing goals. Iron ore trading is one of the core commodities the new Singapore platform is designed to handle alongside critical and strategic minerals.