THAR COALFIELD
The Thar Coal field located in south eastern part of Sindh is one of the world’s largest and sufficient to meet the fuel requirement of the Country for centuries. It is located at about 380 km east of Karachi and is spread over an area of more than 9500 sqkm. The coal is lignite A to B with low sulphur to form a dependable source of energy to achieve the objective of self reliance in Power Sector. Total coal reserves are 175.506 billion tones.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUNG THAR COAL
- Coal was discovered by Chance at Thar in 1989, during an exploration project Sindh Arid Zone Development Authority to find drinkable water in the desert,
- First Four Blocks were developed by GSP in association with USGS in early 1990s
- Re-confirmed the resource estimation by John T Boyd Company, well-known US Mining consultants, in 1993
- Technical & Economic Viability was confirmed by ShenhuaCorporation China in Aug 2004. Shenhua withdrew on Tariff issue in 2005.
- GoS has carried out a Bankable Feasibility Study by a renowned German firm – RWE for Block-I in 2004
- Further eight Blocks were developed by Sindh Coal Authority by outsourcing the task to Companies having international expertise.
- Two Blocks were developed by China Northeast Coalfield Geological Survey Bureau in 2005-06
- Six more Blocks were developed by Deep Rock Drilling Pvt. Ltd, Pakistan from 2008-2012
- PRESENT STATUS – BLOCKS OF THAR COAL FIELD
- Total Developed Blocks 12
- Total Allocated Blocks 04
- Mining Lease Holders 03
- Block I: Sino Sindh Resources (Pvt.) Ltd.
- Block II: Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company
- Block VI: Sindh Carbon Energy Ltd.
- Block-V: Pilot Project of UCG