Consul General, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Andrew Ford visited Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) here on Thursday and had a meeting with Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD), CMPDI Shekhar Saran and other senior officials of CMPDI regarding mutual cooperation in the field of mining and coal based non-conventional energy resources, especially in field of coal bed methane, methane gas drainage, underground coal gasification and others.

The CMD and Consul General discussed on various issues related to mining such as pressing issues and related challenges in optimum extraction and utilization of Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Coal Bed Methane (CBM) from coal mines to mitigate methane, enhance safety and production from gassy mines and showcase the opportunities through development of CMM and CBM in coal mining areas.

Informing about the Consul General’s visit Director (Technical) KK Mishra said Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CMPDI and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Australia just six months earlier for furthering scientific cooperation. It was signed by I and CSIRO Research Director, Hua Guo. The objective of the MoU is research cooperation in various aspects of coal mining. The MoU was renewed for ten years,” he added.

There was further discussion on providing support for high productive mechanized mining, intelligent mining, sensing and automation and other.

Australian Government has set up a new Consulate General in Kolkata. Mishra said “The Consulate-General in Kolkata will strengthen bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the mining and resources sectors. It look forward to strengthening its engagement with West Bengal and surrounding states.”

“Coal India is going to float global tender for purchasing upgraded machinery to enhance production in coal mining. We have invited Australian companies also to participate in the tender to strengthen bilateral relations” said Mishra.