Pakistan Times!

ISLAMABAD: Commercial production from Thar Coal mines will start in 2012, substantially enhancing the coal share in overall energy mix in the country. Talking to media, Director General (Mineral) Irshad Ali Khokhar said, “President Pervez Musharraf approved a roadmap on July 20 this year to speed up work and ensure commercial production from Thar Coal mines by 2012.”

He said that Thar Coal reserves are estimated at 175 billion tonnes is fifth largest in the world. Based on available infrastructure and geological parameters, the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has evaluated the resources over an area of 352 sq km in Thar. “Owing to large coal reserves, each coal block has potential to help generate 1,000 MW power for 60 years,” Khokhar said. Under the roadmap advanced hydrological studies would be undertaken before test-pit digging to make foreign investors realize that besides 120 meters deep sand bed the commercial production of coal was possible in Thar.

To harness Thar coal deposit on fast-track basis, a Thar Task Force headed initially by the President and now by the Prime Minister is facilitating development of infrastructure and commissioning of coal projects in Thar. A road network from Karachi to the mining area in Thar has been constructed to transport heavy machinery required for mining and power generation projects.

WAPDA has laid transmission lines upto the mining area to cater to power requirements during construction and PTCL has developed a good communication network in the area. Sindh government has provided potable water in the mining areas, besides surveying the private and state land for possible acquisition by potential investors.

A mining feasibility study has also been prepared with the technical assistance of leading German company RWE. The Task Force would hire services of a foreign firm for mine development after test-pit phase. The federal government has also extended lucrative fiscal incentives for commissioning of coal fired power plants including exemption from sales tax and custom duty on the import of machinery and equipment for first coal fired power project. This will be in addition to incentives already available under the Power Policy 2004.

Khokhar said the government was encouraging private investors to set up coal fired power plants. He said Thar-type coal was being used widely in the world for power generation. Depending on quality the Thar coal can also be utilized as fuel in processing industry, cement and fertilizer units and for making smokeless briquettes for alternate heating source at high altitude.

The Energy Security Action Plan envisages the target of 20,000 MW electricity from coal by 2019 and the Sindh government being major share holder of coal reserves is endeavoring to attract international investment for development of Thar coal resources.-SANA