Coal India Ltd., the world's largest producer of fuel, is considering the acquisition of five mines in the U.S., Australia and Indonesia to meet the country's demand for fuel, Chairman Partha Bhattacharyya said.
The state company is exploring a mine in Australia owned by Peabody Energy Corp., one in the U.S. owned by Massey Energy Co. and another in Indonesia, Bhattacharyya said, declining to name the company of others. While Coal India has not been started due diligence on two mines in Australia, banks can appoint early to assess the bids, he said.
"We are reducing the gap in valuations with Peabody," said Bhattacharyya, 59, in an interview in New Delhi yesterday. "We like to invest, because there are companies who want money for their mines and a market for coal," he said. "We have the...