Jaiswal for UCG, liquefaction to monetise coal resources

Lucknow, Jan 17 (PTI) Minister of State for CoalSriprakash Jaiswal today said the ministry is exploring cleantechnologies for gasification or liquefaction of the country''scoal resources on account of the difficulty in gettingenvironmental clearances for mining.

"We are exploring possibilities of adopting clean coaltechnology in the country and are looking as to how we canmake it feasible in context to India," Jaiswal told reportershere.

He said there were certain restrictions on miningactivities from the environment and forest departments andproblems were being faced in getting forestry clearance.

"These problems will increase in days to come and it isjustified from the point of conserving the environment andforests," Jaiswal said.

He said two alternatives were available before theministry, namely coal-to-liquid and underground coalgasification technologies.

"Coal-to-liquid technology can be adopted immediately andI have asked Coal India Limited (CIL) to present a clearproposal in this regard," he said.

He said the ministry was making all efforts to increasecoal production in the country, as it is a major inputmaterial for the power sector, among others.

"Though efforts are on for nuclear power, it will take atleast 10 years to become a reality. Under such a situation, wehave to increase coal production, but at the same time, it hasto be kept in mind that there is no harm to the environment,"he said.

The minister said that as the coal has been put in theOGL list, it can be exported by any company either public orprivate.

"But as price in international market is very high, heavyimport is not expected. As of now, sponge iron and cementunits, besides NTPC, are importing coal," he said. MORE PTIAVA PG ARV