India seeks clean coal technology from South Africa

NEW DELHI (Commodity Online): India has sought co-operation with South Africa in the field of clean coal technologies like Coal to Oil (CTL), Underground Coal Gasification and coal beneficiation besides modern technology for underground coal mining including advance shaft sinking and drift drivage technologies.

In the bilateral talks with Energy Minister of South Africa on Thursday, Sri Prakash Jaiswal said that India is committed to introduce clean coal technology in view of increasing environmental concern and It has already planned to introduced Coal to Oil (CTL) technology in two of its coal blocks, each having capacity of 1.5 million coal reserve. South Africa being the owner of oldest and largest ‘Coal to Oil ‘plant could assist India to transfer the technology in the other mining projects also.

Mr Jaiswal is in Johannesburg along with delegation of senior officers of his ministry and Chairman of Coal India limited on 4 days visit to explore opportunities for cooperation in the area of coal between India and South Africa. During the talks with Minister of Energy of South Africa, Ms. Susan Shabangu, Mr Jaiswal said that Coal India Ltd is interested in coal properties in South Africa, both the countries can go for joint ventures in this area.

He also said that South Africa can participate in high capacity underground mining activities in India and in setting up of coal beneficiation plants for upgrading the quality of Indian coal.

Jaiswal also urged South African Government to assist India in Underground Coal Gasification technology which is considered to be a clean coal technology as all pollutants are left in the underground reactor and only the resultant syn-gas by burning the coal in-situ is taken out to operation the turbines in generating power.

He said that India is keenly looking for South African experiment with the technology in power generation and also possibly in syn-gas as a feed stock for chemical sector. He said that Indian industry is also very keen to explore coal resources in South Africa and expressed the hope that very soon cooperation between both the Governments in the area of coal would increase further.

Welcoming Mr. Jaiswal, the South African Minister for energy said that her country considers India as a close partner in coal sector and is very keen to have wide ranging cooperation in all aspects of coal mining, mine safety and reclamation activities. She offered her country her expertise in setting up coal washries, deep coal mining technology and clean coal technology.

During the discussions, African Energy Minister assured that her Government would support any Indian companies that may have interests in the South African Coal sector. She said that there is a great deal of potential for investment in South African coal sector. She said that South Africa would like to share technology in coal mining as it is known for its expertise and especially deep underground mine technology. Both the countries also agreed to exchange R&D initiatives in the area of extraction CBM before exploiting coal resources.

Mr. Jaiswal also visited ‘Coal To Liquid ‘(CTL) technology plant of SASOL, the largest company in the world having this technology with his delegation including CMD of Coal India Ltd. He had detailed discussion on various aspects of the technology including its transfer to India.