Gold prospecting & exploration
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation and AusAid - Australia initiated regional geo-chemical survey for gold and base metals in Northern Areas of Pakistan, in 1992. The survey was completed in June 2001. During this period more than 4000 samples were analyzed to study concentration of gold and base metals. Based on the interpretation of technical data, carried out by Shahzad International, two gold prospects; Ranthak Block and Hushe Block have been identified in Skardu area. These blocks are considered to be most promising for mining of gold and base metals. Government of Pakistan has awarded prospecting license for gold mining in these two blocks to Shahzad International. The award of prospecting license to Shahzad International is the first concession for gold prospecting granted to any private party in the country. Field survey and laboratory analysis of gold containing ore samples, collected from Hushe Block were carried out during 2003-04. Technical studies and sample collection in the Ranthak Block will be undertaken during May to August 2006, utilizing services of highly qualified foreign experts.
Lakhra coal washing plant
Pakistan has more than 184 billion tons of coal reserves. Most of these reserves (98%) are located in the province of Sindh; Thar coal field being the largest, followed by Sonda Thatta; and, Lakhra coal fields.
The indigenous coal is Lignite and tested to be suitable for power generation. However, containing high sulphur and high ash, the coal needs to be processed and washed for optimal use and efficiency. Of the different coal fields of Pakistan, Lakhra coal has been tested intensively by foreign companies for coal washing and found to be the most suitable. Based on the suitability of Lakhra coal for washing and after confirming its marketability, Shahzad International submitted a proposal to the Government of Sindh to set up a coal washing plant. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Government of Sindh in this regard on 27th November, 2002. Under this MoU, the Government of Sindh will facilitate Shahzad International in the establishment of the coal washing plant at Lakra.
The Coal Washing Plant will be the first unit to be established in Pakistan’s private sector under a joint venture arrangement with a local foreign company. The plant, estimated to cost US$ 6-8 million will have annual capacity of processing about 1.5 million ton of coal for use, mainly by the national cement units. Sufficient reserves (1.323 billion tons) are available at Lakhra to ensure continuous supply of coal for washing.
Shahzad International has conducted prospectivity and beneficiation study of Lakhra coal and worked out mineable reserves of coal in the potential operating mines. The results of these studies are positive and are being used for conducting feasibility of the project.
120 MW Power Plant
Shahzad International has plans to reactivate the WAPDA-owned 50 MW power plant located at Sukkur (Sindh) and upgrade it to achieve 120 MW power generation. Meetings with Chairman WAPDA and other concerned authorities of Government of Pakistan have already been held. Shahzad International is submitting a complete proposal for supplying 40 MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet per day) of gas i.e. 30 MMSCFD from Kandra Gas Field of its sister company Petroleum Exploration (Pvt) Ltd to be blended with 10 MMSCFD pipeline quality gas from Sui Southern Gas Company, Limited (SSGCL) to attain a heating value of 430 BTU which is suitable for power generation . Plan is to first commission 60 MW Combined Cycle Plant in Phase One to be followed by a second Plant of 60 MW in Phase Two. The Kandra Gas Field owned by Shahzad International Group of Companies has a Gas in Place (GIP) of more than a Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of gas.
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