September 27, 2002	Friday	Rajab 19, 1423

KARACHI, Sept 26: Sindh government and three companies of Australia and Canada on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake Bankable Feasibility Study for development of coal deposits in Thar desert using Underground Coal Gasification Technology.

The MoU was signed by Sindh Minister Industries, Dewan Mohammed Yousuf Farooqui on behalf of Sindh government and Ian F. McBain on behalf of Middle East Link (Pvt) of Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Len Walker on behalf of PICT Energy (Pvt) of Australia, and Dr. Michael Binderman of ERGO Energy Inc, Montreal, Canada.

Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro also present on the occasion.

The MoU provides for having access to UCG technology for application to the Thar Desert Coalfield in Sindh, involving the use of UCG technology for the development of coal deposits for power generation and for other industrial and commercial purposes.

Through the MoU, MEL and PICT propose using UCG technology to develop a 1,200 mw power station based on the Thar Desert Coalfield.

These companies would arrange and organise investment and the introduction of UCG technology in relation to the project, which will be developed in a staged programme. MEL and PICT acknowledged the interest of the government of Sindh in the development of the project.

PICT is jointly owned by its principal Dr. Michael S. Blinderman, and Dr. Len K. Walker and they are its two directors, who will remain with PICT throughout the period of validity of this MoU. PICT has experience in the planning of commercial UCG developments and has access by agreement to UCG technology held by ERGO.

ERGO is a corporation and has intellectual property consisting of expertise, know-how and experience in respect of UCG, which it uses for implementation of UCG technology on suitable coal deposits.

The SCA is interested in the development of coal deposits using UCG technology, and the construction of mine-mouth power generation at the Thar Desert Coalfield and the development of other uses of gas produced for industrial and commercial purposes.—APP/PPI