May 22, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

PESHAWAR, May 21: The coal reserves in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas could be used for thermal power generation, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said here on Wednesday during a presentation on coal prospects in Fata.

The presentation was held at the Governor’s House in which the prospects of coal in Fata were highlighted besides the efforts being made by the Fata Development Authority for uplift of Fata Coal, the initiatives already taken in this regard and the future planning.

It was stated that surveys conducted so far had indicated the availability of 81 million tons resources of inferred coal in Orakzai Agency and its adjoining area. The yearly coal production in Fata is 180,000 tons and presently coal is extracted from Orakzai Agency, FR Kohat and central Kurram through more than 250 potential mines. The share of Fata in the total national production of coal is 5 per cent.

The governor laid emphasis on development of infrastructure in the mineral bearing areas of Fata to ensure easy and all weather access to the mining areas and also facilitate the transportation of mined stuff to the market. He was informed that 18 km roads had been constructed in the coal mines areas at a cost of Rs72 million whereas construction of 13 km roads was in progress costing Rs83 million.

Construction of these roads, it was stated, would result in opening of new coal mining clusters. As regard future plans, infrastructure in the mineral bearing areas of Fata would be developed at a cost of Rs176.647 million besides provision of electricity to the mining sites and provision of mining machinery to the coal concessionaries.

Generation of electricity from Fata Coal was also being considered, for which the Governor desired that thermal power plant could be established in Hangu area at a site easily accessible to all the coal mining areas of Fata.

The governor also pointed out the need for introducing modern techniques in the mining process and said that the mineral resources should be scientifically and systematically explored, developed and value added. The governor also directed adequate arrangements for the safety of workers by establishing rescue, safety and welfare centers for the laborers working in the mines.