Thriveni-Sainik venture emerges top bidder for NTPC Jharkhand mine

A venture of Thriveni Earthmovers and Sainik Mining has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs 23,000 crore contract of state-run NTPC's <g data-gr-id="25">Pakri</g>-<g data-gr-id="26">Barwadih</g> coal block in Jharkhand.

"A venture of Thriveni Earthmovers and Sainik Mining has emerged as <g data-gr-id="24">lowest</g> bidder for NTPC's <g data-gr-id="27">Pakri</g>-<g data-gr-id="28">Barwadih</g> coal block," a source privy to the development said.

The source further said that as many as 15 entities had submitted bids for NTPC's <g data-gr-id="22">Pakri</g>-<g data-gr-id="23">Barwadih</g> coal <g data-gr-id="20">block</g> but three including Adani Enterprises and AMR India have qualified for the final round.

However NTPC is yet to award the contract based on the final round of bidding for the coal block, the 

source added. Earlier this month, NTPC had said in its Investors Presentation that it will soon appoint a mine developer and operator (MDO) for its <g data-gr-id="29">Pakri</g>-<g data-gr-id="30">Barwadih</g> coal block. The PSU previously cancelled Rs 23,000-crore contract with Thiess <g data-gr-id="31">Minecs</g> India to develop the block due to delays. Thiess Minecs was appointed mine developer and operator for NTPC's Pakri-Barwadih mine in November 2010, after a global tender.

The contract, valued at an estimated Rs 23,000 crore was for a period of 27 years, the company had said, adding that the development period was 360 days ending November 25, 2011, with the remainder for operations.

Thiess <g data-gr-id="18">Minecs</g> is a 90 per cent subsidiary of Thiess Pty Ltd, Australia, which is a mining, construction and services contractor.