Thar coal project ready to kick-start

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KARACHI: Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and government of Sindh broke ground on Thursday to mark the beginning of coal extraction project at Thar Coal block II.

The Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with senior management of Engro Corporation.

SECMC is a joint venture between Engro Corporation and government of Sindh. SECMC has completed the feasibility study on Thar Coal project, confirming the technical, commercial and environmental viability of the project.

All the required government approvals have been obtained and the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) has approved $700 million sovereign guarantee for the project. The mining project, which will cost $1.3 billion is likely to start later this year and is expected to take less than four years for completion.

Ali Ansari President and CEO Engro Corporation said, “For over four decades Engro has been a part of Pakistan’s economic landscape sharing the various challenges and triumphs the country has offered. As a good corporate citizen, our investments in Thar Coal project today are a preliminary step towards building the capacity, which will foster a more developed and energy-efficient Pakistan. Investments in Thar Coal are not only the need of the hour but also make sound economic sense.”

Shamsuddin Shaikh CEO Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company said Thar has an enormous energy potential. SECMC’s Thar Block-2 can produce 4,000 megawatts (MW) for next 50 years. Total foreign exchange savings for 4,000 MW of Thar coal based power plants are estimated at more than $50 billion for life of the project.

The strategic investment and development of the Thar Coal Block II will not only help alleviate the chronic energy crisis of the country but also usher in a new era of prosperity for the people of Sindh and ultimately the people of Pakistan. The project will yield 4,000 new direct and indirect job opportunities for the local community.

SECMC applauded the support and efforts of Sindh government and reiterated its firm commitment to fulfill all its obligations in a timely manner, which would bring energy security to Pakistan and accelerate the industrial development in the country.

End.