KARACHI, Nov 26: Sindh Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Irfanullah Khan Marwat has stated that out of the 185 billion tons of coal reserves in the province, an estimated 176 billion tons existed in Thar region alone.

Another 7.271 billion tons of coal reserves were in Jhimpir, Meeting, Sonda and Jherruk, a region spread over 650 kilometres having where water deposits were also discovered.

The minister made this statement in the Sindh Assembly during question hour on Friday. Responding to a question asked by Ms Heer Soho, he told the house that at least six power stations of 250MW capacity could be set up in the area which might cost $700 million.

A composite policy on granite and marble would be announced next month, he said. In reply to Mr Idrees Siddiqui's question, the minister said that in the past, dynamites had been used to explore granite which was causing a loss of 70 per cent of the costly stone. In future, he added, only laser technology would be induced for the purpose.

Mr Marwat highlighted the government policy and said that private sector was being encouraged in the exploration of coal deposits. The parties which had expressed their interest in installing coal-based power plants were being short listed, he added.

The minister pointed out that power plants would be set up on 'build, operate and transfer (BOT)' basis, as such, no federal or provincial funding was involved in the projects. The government would purchase electricity from these firms, he said.

Responding to various supplementary questions, the minister held out the assurance that while concluding agreements with the investors, the government would ensure that local people were provided jobs in the projects. He said that in case eligible people were not available in the local population, training would be imparted to them so that they could qualify for a job.

Mr Marwat told the house that the Chinese firm, M/s Shenhua Group, had confirmed that ground-breaking ceremony of Thar Coal Power Project would be held in January next year.

He informed the house that two agreements were signed with the firm vis-à-vis the power project. The first one, pertaining to the land and minerals involved, was signed by the Sindh government, whereas the other one, relating to the installation of the plant and fixing of electricity rates, was signed by the federal government.

He assured the house that the coal-based power plants would cause no problem of environmental pollution as sophisticated equipment would be used to check pollution. The excavation of coal, he added, would be carried out through the open-pit technology.

Replying to another question, the minister said that granite deposits in Thar were estimated at one billion tons. Tenders had been floated for the construction of a 40-feet-wide and 60km-long road leading to the granite mine.

The required infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, water and telephone facilities, were available in the coal field area. Besides, required assistance was also being provided to private sector, he pointed out, and said that measurement of the mines and minerals reserves had been done by the Geological Survey of Pakistan and some companies through satellite imaging.

In reply to a question asked by Mr Idrees, the minister said that excavation of no mineral in Sindh had ever been offered through tenders. He stated that exploration permits were granted and renewed on the recommendations of the Mines Committee.