Kolkata, Dec 2 (IANS) China’s Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Co (ZMJ) will partner Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) in redeveloping its Moonidih colliery in Jharkhand, it was announced here Tuesday. The Chinese company would provide the latest technology in the field - powered support long wall (PSLW) mining for the giant coking coal extraction project in the colliery, Coal India Ltd chairman Partha Bhattacharyya said.

“ZMJ will be responsible for the supply, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance and spares management of the necessary machinery and equipment,” BCCL chairman-cum-managing director Tapas Kumar Lahiry said.

ZMJ was chosen as it quoted the lowest rate in a global tender that saw two bidders participating.

The Chinese firm was awarded the contract for Rs.3.06 billion for the project, which has received Rs.1.66 billion support from the Steel Authority of India Ltd as a major buyer.

The extraction would be done in seam 15 of the colliery that contains nearly 38 million tonnes of steel grade coal with low ash content.

The project would ensure 3.5 million tonnes of coal production over five years, Bhattacharyya said.

BCCL is the only source of primary coking coal in the domestic market.Bhattacharyya said the cost per tonne would be Rs.1015.33, and there would be a total operating surplus of Rs.3.8 billion over five years.