Coal news and updates

CIL Invites Bids For Drilling Coal Mines in Mozambique

Coal India Ltd (CIL) has invited bids for the third phase of drilling in the African nation to take forward its plans to develop coal mines in Mozambique.

The company has invited expression of interest (EoI) for 3rd phase drilling inclusive of making access and preparation of site, water carting for drilling, etc in Licenses area nos 3450 L & 3451 L, Moatize Coalfield, Tete Province, Mozambique.

CIL had earlier informed an inter-ministerial panel that the drilling of blocks in Mozambique had started in June, 2013. The selection of agency for the further drilling of 30,000 metre was completed in May, 2013. The panel reviews the performance of maharatna firms, including Coal India Limited.
Name and Description of Work:

10,000 meters of vertical diamond core drilling in HQ/HQ3/NQ3/NQ or equivalent sizes at depth of upto 500m or encountering of metamorphic rocks, whichever is earlier with >90% recovery in coal and >80% recovery in non-coal strata; including making access to the drill site, drilling site preparation, sump making, water supply to the site for drilling, sealing of borehole, erection of borehole pillars after completion of drilling.

Last date to submit is 16 May, 2014.
First Phase of Drilling

The first stage of drilling of the mines had been completed in May last year. The contract for initial drilling was awarded in November 2012.

CIAL had won 5-year licence for exploration and development of mines in Mozambique in August, 2009. Two coal blocks -A1 and A2- at Motaize, in Tete Province of Mozambique, are spread over 200 sq. km. CIL registered its own subsidiary CIAL in mid of 2009.

In order to deal with the shortages of the domestic coal, the government is also proposing to import coal.

Source: www.energysector.in