industry

9 coal blocks identified for sale to private companies, 9 to state entities


KOLKATA: The central government has identified nine coal blocks with total reserves of around 2 billion tonnes that may be auctioned to private players. It has also identified another set of nine blocks with total reserves of 1.1 billion tonnes for allotment to state-owned entities.

A committee, chaired by an additional secretary to identify coal blocks for allocation to different parties, has also proposed allotment of blocks for a state-owned fertiliser project in Odisha’s Talcher district and ultra-mega power projects in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The proposals were made last week.

The panel, which examined some 150-odd coal blocks, has decided to strike off 23 of them with total reserves of around 4 billion tonnes from this list since they cannot be mined due to insignificant reserves, difficult terrain, habitat or forest land.

Coal-Call

Blocks recommended for auction include Dahegaon Dhapewada in Maharashtra with a total estimated reserve of 341.9 million tonnes spread across 28 square km. It is located under Western Coalfield’s Kamptee coalfileds and is currently under exploration.

The committee has also recommended auctioning Kunur coal block in West Bengal’s Ranigunj coalfields area under Eastern Coalfield’s leasehold area. It is estimated to hold a total reserve of 515 million tonnes and is an unexplored block spread over 11.3 square km.

The third block that may be auctioned is Mahuamilan in Jharkhand with a reserves of 210 million tonnes. This block, which is an unexplored one and is inside a forest, is spread over 6.7 square km and lies within Central Coalfield’s lease hold area.

Morga South A and B in Chhattisgarh holds an estimated 432.54 million tonnes of coal spread over 21.92 square km and is located under South Eastern Coalfield’s leasehold area. Although it lies within forest land it is a fully explored block, the committee feels the study of net present value of the block being undertaken by Coal India subsidiary, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, may be expedited and considered for auction.

Other blocks in the list for proposed auction are Kalambi-Kalmeshwar with reserves of 97.46 million tonnes in Maharashtra and Phutamera and Meguli with reserves of 113 million tonnes and 63 million tonnes, respectively, in Chhattisgarh.





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.