NTPC working on coal mines allotted by govt

Power firm NTPC today said it is developing coal mines allotted to it for captive use and added that it takes 6-7 years to harness a mine even by international standards.

NTPC's statement comes amid reports the Ministry of Coal has written to the Power Ministry, threatening to de-allocate the coal blocks allotted to NTPC citing reasons such as delay in developing those mines.

"No, we are developing all the five mines allotted to us," NTPC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma told reporters here, adding that it takes about 6-7 years to develop a coal mine, as per international benchmark.

"We were awarded the first mine in 2005 and work is on in all the coal blocks allotted to us," Sharma added.

The country's largest thermal power generator, NTPC, was awarded five coal mines—Pakri-Barwadih, Chatti-Bariatu, Kerandari (Jharkhand), Dulanga, Talaipalli (Orissa) with a mining potential of 48 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

The company is also developing two coal blocks — Brahmini and Chichropatsimal (Orissa) in a 50:50 joint venture with Coal India.

NTPC has a dry fuel requirement of 150 million tonnes during the current fiscal, of which it would import 12.5 million tonnes.

The company is looking at acquiring coal properties abroad in order to bridge the shortfall from domestic supplies.