Coal news and updates

CIMFR to appoint independent third-party agency

India Coal Market Watch

 November 26: An independent third-party agency is to be appointed by the Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research (CIMFR) through a transparent process for undertaking the work of sampling and analysis of coal at the loading end on behalf of both the power plant (consumer) and the coal companies (supplier), a Ministry of Coal communique has informed.

 A meeting was held on October 28, under the chairmanship of the Minister of State (I/C) for Power, Coal and N&RE on the issues relating to third party sampling and analysis of coal at the loading end. In accordance with the decisions taken at that meeting, the following guidelines have been formulated:

 The CIMFR shall enlist third party agencies through a transparent process for sampling and analysis of coal.

 The authorised representatives of the power plant and the coal company shall jointly

witness the process of sample collection and preparation of the laboratory samples. The representatives shall put their signature on the sample tags in evidence of the process of sampling. All three - independent sampler, consumer and supplier - shall also sign on the samples register maintained by the coal company at the loading end.

 The samples shall be collected and prepared by the third party agency/independent sampler as per BIS norms. Collection of samples to be ensured within free time for loading of rakes.

 The fee for independent sampling agency shall be equally borne by both the coal company (supplier) and power utility (consumer).

 The coal companies shall provide adequate enabling conditions for collection, preparation and storage of coal samples at the loading end.

 The final laboratory sample shall be divided into 4 (four) parts. Part-1 of the sample is for analysis by the independent third party agency at a government laboratory or NABL-accredited laboratory as appointed by CIMFR through a transparent process.

 Part-2 and Part-3 of the sample are to be handed over to the coal company and the power utility, respectively for their own analysis. Part- 4 of the sample, called referee sample, shall be sealed jointly by the third party agency, representatives of the coal company and the power plant and shall be kept with the third party agency under proper lock and key arrangement. The referee sample shall be preserved for a period of 30 days from the date of sample collection.

 Mere absence of or failure of participation by any representative of either party despite prior notice shall not be a ground to negate the sampling process undertaken.

 The third party agency shall communicate the analysis results of the sample within 18 working days of the sample collection to the coal company and the power plant.

 The coal company or power plant may raise dispute, if any, within 7 days of the submission of the result by the third party. In case of dispute raised within the stipulated time period, the referee sample shall be analysed by a government laboratory.

 The persons engaged by the third party agency should take proper training at a vocational training centre and obtain certificate for complying with the statutoryprovisions of the mines Act.