Work on Sonda-Jherruk coal mining to begin soon

Karachi: China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) announced to move on mining operation at Sonda-Jherruk coal field in District Thatta, Sindh in near future.

Sonda-Jherruk Coal Mine and Power Plant Project developed by CMC will supply 405 megawatt power supply for Pakistan, which will be highly instrumental to promote the economic development of Pakistan, opening new doors for foreign investors. CNC sources said that despite the ongoing world financial crisis, it is quite confident in investing in Pakistan energy industry.

CMC had begun its preliminary studies for mine construction work in May 2008 and will increase its input in Sonda-Jherruk project along with its additional investment of US $2 million for the development of the coal mine. The sources said that coal resource of Pakistan are abundant, while the extensive exploitation of which is seldom.

As a large scale state-owned company in China, CMC has successfully developed coal mines in countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, with rich international experiences accumulated in this field.

The forthcoming exercise is the second detailed exploration made by CMC at Sonda-Jherruk coal-field said the CNC sources mentioning that the main contents are Shaft Geological Investigation, Detailed Hydro-geological Testing and Water Resources Investigation.

The sources said, 'shaft drilling is a great milestone for the development of the coal mine.' Six containers of exploration equipments were sent from China to the work site. Presently there are 77 persons at site, including 21 Chinese engineers and 56 Pakistani, said the sources. They appreciated that exploration work is greatly supported by the Sindh government and round the clock security was provided by Sindh Police.