Flaws in draft Thar coal report identified

The draft of bankable study report on Thar coal mining, submitted by a German consultant, was discussed threadbare observing that terms of reference of study were strictly adhered to. It was noted the study greatly emphasised on power plant whereas the consultant should have confined its report to Bankable Feasible Study of Thar Coal Mining.
Presiding over a meeting of the Steering Committee here on Tuesday, the Provincial Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Irfanullah Khan Marwat categorically stated the report should be purely on "Bank-able Feasibility Study of Thar Coal Mining" and all components related to power plant should be excluded.
The Ministry of Natural Resources Islamabad Director General (Minerals) also observed draft report regarding availability of water was also under process.
He suggested services of a consultant be hired and all available data on hydrology may be handed over to them for analysis to firm up the realistic position about availability of water in Thar.
Regarding financial calculations, the Steering committee observed the figures and rates quoted in the report, including interest rate, were not realistic.
He said it should be supported through sources in break-up and components relating to Thar Coal Mining, only raw details of machinery and equipment to be utilised for mining purpose should also commensurate with the capacity of coal utilisation.
The Minister suggested Technical Committee should prepare comprehensive report incorporating the views/comments received from Steering Committee members and forward the same to M/s Rheinbraun Engineering Germany, for clarification and re-modification of the report.
The minister pointed out those clarifications were pre-requisite for the approval of draft feasibility report on Thar coal mining.
The Secretary Mines and Mineral Development Sindh, Director general (Minerals) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Islamabad, Director General Geological Survey of Pakistan, Director General Directorate of Mines and Mineral Development Sindh, Managing Director LCDC and Director General Sindh Coal Authority attended the meeting, among others.