Gujarat NRE to explore block in W Australia

Gujarat NRE Coke Group, the largest manufacturer of low ash metallurgical coke in the country with extensive coal mining interests in Australia, has gained access to a virgin block of 10,640 square kilometres for oil and gas exploration in Western Australia through its group company Gujarat NRE Mineral Resources Limited. Prospecting work is expected to start very soon.

Considering the seismographic and other geo physical data, the area seems to be very rich for a strike, and the group is very optimistic about the new move.

"The past drilling histories are very positive in the region and we are very confident that success will crown our move" said Arun Kumar Jagatramka, vice chairman and managing director of Gujarat NRE Coke Limited.

Gujarat NRE is the first from India to own coal mines in Australia, which gives it the twin advantages of uninterrupted supplies of raw materials in a rapidly shrinking fossil fuel scenario on the one hand and a buffer against price fluctuations on the other, said Jagatramka.

The company is also the first to export met coke from India to Europe and South America.