Date:15/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041502470200.htm

SAIL allotted Sitanala coal block

Our Bureau

New Delhi, April 14

Steel Authority of India Ltd has been allotted the Sitanala coking coal block by the Empowered Committee in the Ministry of Coal, official sources said. The allotment was made on Wednesday and communicated to SAIL on Friday. Access to this block would reduce the public sector steel producer's dependence on imported coal and help improve the bottomlines, company officials said. The block has a reserve of 1.8 million tonnes of coking coal reserves and is located at the south-eastern part of the Jharia coalfield. SAIL had filed an application in October 2005 expressing willingness to develop the coal block, officials said.