Coal Min to create taskforce for clean coal technology

The Coal Ministry plans to constitute a task force by September 30 to prepare a blueprint for the implementation of clean coal technologies in the country.

"A roadmap for gradual switch over to clean coal technology will be prepared by constituting a task force," the ministry said on its website.

The recommendations of the task force, to be made available by June next year, will be examined and implemented by the end of 2013. The Coal Ministry will review and monitor the progress of the roadmap on quarterly basis.

"A task force will be constituted by September 30, 2011, and the recommendations will be made available by June 30, 2012. Examination and implementation by December 31, 2013," it said.

Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal, during his visit to Mozambique in January this year, had sought the African nation's assistance in order to develop clean coal technologies.

While talking to the South African government, Jaiswal had sought their cooperation on 'coal-to-oil' technology, which is very much in use there.

"India is committed to introduce clean coal technology in view of increasing environmental concerns and South Africa, being the owner of the oldest and largest 'coal-to-oil' plant, could assist India to transfer the technology in other mining projects also," Jaiswal had said.

During the visit, India also sought cooperation for technologies on underground coal gasification and coal benefaction, besides modern technology for underground coal mining from South Africa.

The coal-to-liquid technology is currently being applied in two domestic coal blocks of 1.5 million tonnes per annum capacity.

Jaiswal had also visited the 'coal-to-liquid' technology plant of Sasol, the largest company in the world having this technology, with the delegation.