A 40-member Chinese delegation will visit Pakistan to conduct detailed coal geological investigation in Sonda-Jherruk area of Thatta district for setting up two coal-fired power plants, each of 300MW.

Sources said the delegation of China National Machinery Import and Export Corpora-tion (CMC) would start work on detailed investigation mid December. Three members of the delegation have already arrived here to determine possibilities for early start of work. CMC had signed agreement with Sindh government on November 25 to set up these power plants.

CMC's geological investigation would be completed in three months and later on it would start coal-mining and set up the two power plants. The Chinese company would bear the cost of detailed coal geological investigation.

As is well known, the coal reserves at Sonda-Jherruk are the second largest in Sindh comprising more than seven billion tonnes coal. The area is located at a distance of around 150 km in north-east of Karachi and about 30 km in south-east of Hyderabad , where all required infrastructure has been made provided by the provincial government.

The CMC will arrange investment and ensure availability of coal deposits on long-term basis for 30-40 years to meet the requirements and establishment of power plants. The project would generate 2,000 to 3,000 jobs for local people, sources added.