The project would generate 300MW and will be completed by the end of 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE: The Punjab has been working on several mineral excavation projects with China, Mines and Mineral Secretary Dr Arshad Mehmood said on Thursday.
He was chairing a meeting on Local Coal-Based Power Generation projects in the province.
Dr Mehmood said Pakistan and China were looking to develop mineral wealth of the Punjab through local coal-based power generation and excavation of metallic minerals like iron ore and copper.
Participants of the meeting were informed that the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) would establish the first coal generation plant at Pind Dadan Khan. He said the project would generate 300MW and will be completed by the end of 2017. He said more than 100 Chinese workers had already been deployed at the site of operations. “This power plant will haul in $500 million investment in the country,” he said.
The second aspect of this project is a Coal Mining Project in Choa Saden Shah from where nearly 6,000 tonnes of coal will be excavated each day to be used at the power plant at Pind Dadan Khan.
Dr Mehmood said for this purpose, the CMEC will introduce a semi-mechanised mining technique for the first time in the region. The mining project will bring in an investment of Rs20 billion, he said. “We are looking at an investment of around Rs70 billion in total,” he said.
Dr Mehmood said the project would greatly benefit the local economy. “Previously coal in our region was not considered fit to use to generate power because of its high sulphur and ash content, thin seam and challenging mining terrain.”
The Metallurgical Corporation of China has been working on estimating the worth of metallic minerals in Chiniot and Rajoa including iron ore, copper, silver and gold. The project will be completed by the end 2016, he said. “This will pave the way to establish the first steel mill in the Punjab which will use locally-produced iron ore.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2015.
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