KARACHI, July 31: Experts and consultants at a seminar here on Thursday recommended faster development of existing coal mines through mechanization to meet the growing demand by the domestic industries.

The seminar on “utilization of coal,” was organized by Noble Energy Group of Hong Kong and Pacific Chartering, Karachi in collaboration with Institution of Mining Engineers Pakistan (IMEP) at a local hotel.

The experts also proposed use of standard washing methods to reduce sulphur contents in the coal for saving precious foreign exchange and keeping on improving blending ratio step by step.

The participants called for assessment of human resource needs for mineral sector and development of human resources on modern lines along with provision of standard equipment to accelerate mining pace.

It was suggested that consumers should buy and use washed coal to minimize the operational slowdown.

The participants urged the government to conduct a study to identify impediments, hindering the use of coal, and that after extensive surveys it should suggest the quality of coal for each process with or without blending with the imported coal.

They called upon the government to ensure use of quality coal in cement, chemical and hotel industries by extending maximum technical and legal assistance.

The experts asked for provision of logistic support like NLC at ports to take maximum benefit of sea by bringing larger ships in the wake of increasing demand of coal as fuel.

They also sought immediate support of the government in establishing coal testing facilities/labs near local mining industry.

The participants contended that conversion of cement and other processing industries from furnace oil to coal would reduce their production cost by 50pc and proper utilization of coal would prove a leverage for economic progress and prosperity.

Director General (Minerals) Rashid Hussain Malik read out the speech of Federal Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Resources who could not participate in the seminar.

Malik said Pakistan had huge coal deposits but unfortunately it could not get due place in domestic and industrial consumption. He said that the share of coal in the overall energy mix at the time of independence was 60pc and now it has been reduced to only 5pc.—APP