PC INITIATES PRIVATISATION PROCESS OF PMDC's COAL AND SALT MINES BY INVITING EOI FOR APPOINTMENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Islamabad, January 17, 2007

The Privatisation Commission has initiated the process for the privatisation of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation's (PMDC) Coal and Salt mines by inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) for appointment of Financial Advisor.

These coal and salt mines projects of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) include 1. Lakhra Coal Mining Project, Sindh , 2. Sor-Range Collieries, Balochistan, 3. Degari Collieries, Balochistan, 4. Sharigh Collieries Balochistan, 5. Warcha Salt Mines, Punjab, 6. Khewra Salt Mines, Punjab, 7. Kalabagh Salt Mines, Punjab and 8. Jatta/Bahadur Khel/Karak Salt Quarries, NWFP

Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) is a private limited company wholly owned by Federal Government, which was established in July 1974 under Companies Act 1913 (Now Companies Ordinance 1984). The Privatisation Commission has asked the interested parties to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) for appointment of a consortium of qualified Financial Advisory (FA) to advise and assist the GOP in privatisation of the various operational units/ projects of PMDC latest by 5th February 2007 Pak Rs. 100,000 as non-refundable processing. The Financial Advisory consortium, interalia, shall comprise of a Chartered Accountancy firm (including a valuer), a mining professional/firm with a demonstrable expertise in mining sector and a law firm. Terms of Reference (TOR) and the scope of work for FA would be included in the Request for Proposals (RFP) package to be made available to the qualified interested parties.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) to act as FA to the Privatisation Commission is to be submitted by interested parties for the above listed projects. Prospective consortia have been asked to send their Expression of Interest duly marked "Financial Advisory Services for privatisation of PMDC projects" to the Privatisation Commission, Islamabad.