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NTPC said that it would commence coal production from its mines in Jharkhand in the second half of this fiscal. “We will start coal production from PB (PakhriBarwadih) mines in the second half of current fiscal,'' said Mr R S Sharma , CMD., NTPC. The company plans to achieve a coal production target of 15 million tonnes per annum by 2012.

NTPC has ventured into the coal mining business with an aim to meet about 20 per cent of its fuel requirement from its captive mines by 2017. The government has so far allotted seven coal blocks to NTPC. Of which, two blocks would be developed through j oint ventures. “If my dependence is on coal imports....I will meet it through my resources, I would like to have cheaper fuel production there (abroad) and then I will bring it here....I will only pay for transportation,'' said Mr Sharma.

The company's total coal requirement during 2009-10 is estimated at 150 m.t, of which Coal India and its subsidiaries would provide 130-132 m.t. and the remaining would be met through imports. NTPC plans to import 12.5 m.t of fuel in the current fiscal. It is also acquiring coal mines in Indonesia and Mozambique for sourcing the dry fuel.

Source – PTI