As India largely depends on imported coal to meet the domestic demand, it has urged the Mozambique government to consider allocating more coal blocks to Indian companies. Sriprakash Jaiswal, Minister of State of Coal, who was on a two-day tour to Maputo, has also asked for expediting the formalities to make two blocks operational which have already been allocated to Coal India Ltd.
The Minister had wide range of discussion with Minister of Mineral Resources of Government of Mozambique, Ms Esperanca Bias to increase cooperation in the area of coal mining.
Mr Jaiswal also urged the Mozambique government to expedite the formalities to make two blocks operational which have already been allocated to Coal India Ltd.
Ms Bias said that Mozambique would like to take advantage of India’s expertise in coal mining and assured that her Government would consider India’s request for allocation of more coal blocks to Coal India Ltd.
Both the countries agreed to have the meeting of working group on coal in April, 2011 to discuss scope and modalities of bilateral cooperation further.
Coal India Ltd already has two coal blocks allocated in Mozambique which will be made operational shortly. Road linkages to the nearest port for the shipment of coal and other infrastructural requirements were also discussed during the meeting. Mozambique Government assured all assistance to complete necessary formalities and infrastructural support for making both the blocks operational as early as possible.
India has also decided to set up two institutes for planning and manpower training in the area of mining in Mozambique with an investment of Rs88 crore.
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