CIL to finalise JV partners for coal extraction

KOLKATA: Coal India (CIL) will finalise its JV partners for coal extraction from abandoned mines by March 2009.

ArcelorMittal was the first to express its keenness to extract coal from abandoned mines, jointly with CIL, and had approached the government for jointly extracting coal from CIL���s abandoned mines. In view of this, the ministry had asked CIL to take forward the proposal. CIL decided to invite EoI from all interested parties and floated an EoI sometimes during August this year.

As many as 12 companies have now evinced interest in striking JVs with CIL and their applications are currently being processed by Ranchi-based Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL) ��� a consultant in resource management, exploration and mining.

Confirming the development, CIL chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya said: ���We hope to shortlist the joint venture partners for abandoned mines within March 2009. There has been very good response for mines at Bharat Coking Coal and Central Coalfields. Corporates, however, have shown relatively lesser interest for mines under Eastern Coalfields command area.���