Lakhra Coal Mine Report

LAKHRA COAL MINE

Report by:
Izhar Mithal Jiskani
Department of Mining Engineering,
Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro

Classification: Active/Verified
Status: Producer
Type of Work: Underground

Location:
Sindh, Pakistan
Nearest Landmark: HYDERABAD
Distance from Landmark: 48 km
Direction from Landmark: NW
Latitude: 25 Degrees 47 Minutes (North)
Longitude: 68 Degrees 11 Minutes (East)

After the first discovery of coal in 1853, many geological investigations have been
conducted in the Lakhra area by national and international organizations.
Interests in large-scale exploration of coal for power generation began to develop
in the early 1960s when GSP (Geological Survey of Pakistan) and USGS (United
State Geological Survey) performed a systematic geological investigation of the
area. Finally the result came that Lakhra coal is suitable for power generation.

An area is 7943 acres of compact black coal lease in possession of LCDC (Lakhra
coal field for development of coal mines). The total proven reserves in the area are
42 million tones. The quality of coal is lignite and the seam of coal was 5-8 ft.
There is a plenty of coal mine at Lakhra and hundreds of the truck are fulfilled
daily from Lakhra.

Compiled By: Izhar Mithal Jiskani – 09 MN 98

Lakhra Coal Mine Report

This is not a deep mine, it is of 120ft deep, having two shafts (inclined &
horizontal) and four working phases. On the vertical shaft a hoisting machine was
installed to transport the material and on the inclined shaft there were stairs of
mud for the path

It is not well managed and totally mechanized mine but the work is going on. Only
natural ventilation is there, when number of people in the mine increase the
people feels a lot of suffocation there. Electric generators have been set-up for
emergency lighting and mines lamp charging. A mobile phone communication
has been set-up to facilitate fast communication with mines site office.

The mine is wooden supported. There is also a wood shop because there are
always chances / possibilities that overburden may fall down, mine may be block
and workers may buried in the mine. Mining Engineers visit the mine daily and
check almost all the support, if the support is found weak, wood workers are then
called to change or repair it. The path is so much difficult to go down and comes
up to the surface.

LAKHRA COAL QUALITY & RESERVES

Moisture (%) 09.70 – 38.10

Ash (%) 04.30 – 49.00
Volatile Matter (%) 18.30 – 38.60
Fixed Carbon (%) 09.80 – 38.20
Sulfur (%) 01.20 – 1 4.80
Calorific Value (Btu/lb) 5,503 – 9,158

Compiled By: Izhar Mithal Jiskani – 09 MN 98

Lakhra Coal Mine Report

The yearly break-up since financial year 1994-95 to 2008-2009 is given below:

SALES TO OPEN
YEAR TOTAL
WAPDA MARKET

1994 – 1995 63,176 ---- 63,176

1995 – 1996 251,777 ---- 251,777
1996 – 1997 201,109 ---- 201,109
1997 – 1998 186,854 ---- 186,854
1998 – 1999 262,219 8,873 271,092
1999 – 2000 229,204 6,914 236,118
2000 – 2001 122,446 67,472 189,918
2001 – 2002 163,297 110,006 273,303
2002 – 2003 136,200 126,122 262,322
2003 – 2004 136,995 92,286 229,281
2004 – 2005 139,375 58,383 197,758
2005-2006 101,973 51407 153,380
2006-2007 108,142 58,188 1,66,330
2007-2008 124,323 61,605 1,85,928
2008-2009 99,601 62,242 161,843
TOTAL 2,326,691 703,498 3,030,189

Fair roads have been constructed for transportation of coal from mines to main
road leading to market and for connecting to the various mines that have been
developed

Ambulance is also been given by Govt. of Sindh for the mines, as it is very
dangerous which can be easily used in case of any emergency. For the visitors
there is also the arrangement of torch and safety caps.

Compiled By: Izhar Mithal Jiskani – 09 MN 98

Lakhra Coal Mine Report

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Compiled By: Izhar Mithal Jiskani – 09 MN 98