07 February 2005	Monday	27 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Feb 6: The Sindh Coal Authority (SCA) will charge $1,500 for its bankable feasibility report about Thar coal mining from local and foreign companies interested in setting up power plants and mining units.

This decision was taken at a board meeting chaired by the Sindh Minister for Mineral Development Irfanullah Marwat here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the government had spent a significant amount on the preparation of these reports and therefore this report would be sold at $1,500.

Mr Marwat asked the SCA to prepare a complete report about the presence of coal in the Badin district. He said several foreign companies had indicated interest to undertake mining and coal-fired power generation projects in Thar, Thatta, Lakhra.

The minister expressed hope that this would boost industrial and commercial activities in Sindh and create more job opportunities.

He lauded the role of the president and the prime minister in the completion of infrastructure facilities in Thar and the adjacent areas.-APP

Coal authority clarification

KARACHI, Feb 7: A spokesman for the Sindh Coal Authority has clarified that the authority will charge $150,000 for bankable feasibility report about Thar Coal Mining and not $1,500 as stated in a news item published on Monday.-APP