Government to initiate coal gasification to mitigate pollution, optimise coal production
07 Dec 2009
As a measure to counter environment pollution and at the same time maximise coal production, the central government has initiated steps to introduce underground coal gasification for conversion of coal into product gas.
Under the first phase, the government has finalised three coal blocks in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Orissa to start gasification work within a year.
The underground gasification industrial process allows maximisation of coal production, mitigation of carbon emissions and also addresses other risks, according to minister of state for coal (independent charge) Sriprakash Jaiswal. Jaiswal was speaking to the media in Allahabad on Sunday.
The technology is currently in use in Russia, the US, Australia and China.
The minister said that underground coal gasification, has proved to be a viable technology both on economic and ecological grounds and can be used for producing fuel.
Meanwhile 12 overseas coal producing companies shortlisted by state-owned Coal Indian Ltd (CIL) for either strategic partnership or joint ventures (JV) will make presentations in Kolkata on 14 December for evaluation of their offers by the Empowered Committee.
