ISLAMABAD – The government has released around Rs 338.215 million funds forfour ongoing projects of the Petroleum Division under the Public SectorDevelopment Programme (PSDP 2018-19) during 11 months of the current fiscalyear against the total allocation of Rs 463.175 million.
According to the official data issued by the Ministry of Planning, anamount of Rs 291.575 million has been released to acquire drilling rigs andaccessories for Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), Rs 13.736 million forappraisal of newly discovered coal resources of Badin coal field and itsadjoining areas of southern Sindh, Rs 14.609 million for exploration andevaluation of metallic minerals in Uthal and Bela areas of districtLasbella, Balochistan and Rs 18.295 for assessment of coal potential inNosham and Bahlol areas of Balochistan.
Meanwhile, official sources told APP that drilling activities in the Badincoal field had been stepped up for appraisal of huge coal reservesconfirmed by the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
The sources said experts had collected core samples, completed theirchemical analysis and geological logging of the exploratory boreholes.
Answering a question, they informed that two newly purchased multipurposedrilling rigs had been deployed at the Badin coal project site to carry outthe drilling activities around the clock, adding that mud pits, foundationfor rigs, ramps and mud ways had been prepared for the purpose.
The coal deposits are estimated to be over one billion ton, they said andadded “the coal is of good quality and high heating value.”
Recent geological investigations have shown that 186 billion ton of coalreserves exist in different parts of the country, which could be used as aprimary and inexpensive source for power generation.
“More than 184 billion tonnes deposits are located in Sindh province, withThar coal field being the largest followed by Thatta-Sonda, Lakhra andJhimpir. The coal is lignite to lignite-A to sub bituminous B&C incharacter with an average heating value of 6000 BTU/lb,” the sources said.