A delegation comprising Benway Corporation USA President, Peter O'Connell, Usama Harris Khan & Company Chairman, Khalid Abbas Khan Niazi and Muhammad Sualeh of Mercury Trading called on Sindh Minister for Mineral Development, Irfanullah Marwat on Monday at his office and exchanged prospects for investing in mining and power generation project of 2000 mega watts in Thar.
The minister welcomed the delegation and assured them of full support for establishment of coal mining and power generation projects in Sindh, particularly in Thar coal field area.
He informed the visiting delegation that Chinese were already working on coal mining and coal-fired power plant in Block-II of Thar Coal Field.
The Germans were also conducting the Bankable Feasibility Study of Thar Coal Mining in Block-I of Thar Coal Field which would be completed in December.
The minister briefed the delegation that Pakistan was spending considerable foreign exchange on importing oil and had limited reserves of natural gas and it had no option except to go for power generation based on indigenous fuel, such as, lignite coal.
Many other companies/investors have also shown interest in coal mining and coal fired power generation in Sindh. They were welcome for showing interest in establishment of 2000 MW coal fired power plant in Thar.
Peter informed the minister that they had formed a consortium for development of coal mining and coal fired power project in Thar.
Irfanullah Marwat asked them to provide him the details of the consortium as well as profile of their company regarding experience in mining and power generation.
"The government of Sindh will provide infrastructure assistance, required to the investors", he assured.