The future lies in green coke

What do you think about the mining industry in India, also in perspective of your area of operation?

India is among a few rich countries in terms of mineral resources. Some of the valuable minerals being mined here are coal, iron ore and bauxite. Coke, when converted from coal, is one of the most efficient and economical industrial fuel for making steel besides acting as a reducing agent for chemical, cement and allied industries, all linked to the core sector.

Tell us something about Global Coke and your contributions to this sector.

Global Coke is the manufacturer of low-ash metallurgical coke at Jamnagar, Gujarat. After acquiring non-performing assets of a sick unit in Sept 2007, we converted it into a dividend paying one within first year itself. The fiscal 2008-09 has recorded a sales growth rate of 445 per cent with consistent profit. We are making 144,000 tonnes of met coke annually and are expanding the capacity by another 156,000 tonnes of met coke annually with upgraded technology at the same place in Gujarat.

We are bullish about the demand for our product. Moreover, there is plan to set up a 12 MW power plant to be used from waste heat generated from coke oven chimneys. We call met coke as green coke.

We are poised to acquire coal blocks in different parts of the world and expand our capacity with combined emphasis on the power generation.

What is green coke?

The continuous burning of coal at an average temperature of 1,200 degree centigrade and wasting the resultant heat is a national loss. Therefore, its recovery and converting it into energy is a necessity. Rather, it should be made compulsory along with coke making in the industrial policy of the country as it will save not only the scarce mineral resources but also the environment from huge pollutants. We believe the future of this industry lies in making green coke.

What do you suggest for rationalization of mineral resources like coal?

Formation of conglomerate for single-point platform of annual buying of the industry should be encouraged., acquisitions of coal blocks in less developed and developing countries should be promoted by the government for met coke manufacturers. In countries such as Mongolia, Mozambique, Indonesia, Colombia, Canada, CIS countries besides Australia and New Zealand, tremendous prospects of coking coal mining exists. As a long-term industrial policy, coke manufacturers should be provided incentives like low-cost fundS, no-tax-on-imports from self-owned coal blocks based on favourable economic treaties and all such encouragements to acquire and develop coal blocks in such countries.