State-run Hindustan Steelworks Construction (HSCL) today entered into a pact with Russia's Vo Zarubezhugol (VOZ) to jointly bid for building coal washeries in India for major producers.
"HSCL is in a position to procure business for setting up of coal washeries in India on turnkey basis. We have signed a MoU with VOZ in relation to this today. VOZ will provide turnkey solution to us," HSCL Chairman and Managing Director Malay Chatterjee said in a statement.
VOZ, a Russian state-owned firm, is engaged in building coal washeries, mining and trading of coal. HSCL is engaged in building steel and various other infrastructure projects.
Washeries help reduce the ash content in coal and improve its calorific value among others things.
Coal India has already announced its plan to set up 20 new washeries with a combined capacity of 111 million tonne to help realise a better price for its produce with an outlay of Rs 2,500 crore.
HSCL, which is looking at entering into the coal sector in a large way, might look at this opportunity following the tie-up with VOZ.