Coal India Ltd. is planning to float a global tender worth about $1.6 billion for procuring large earth-moving equipment and maintenance, repair and operation on a long-term basis. According to The Hindu Business Line, the issues were discussed at a meeting between CIL and the U.S. Ambassador, Timothy J. Roemer. Energy is as one of the key areas of strategic interest between India and United States. CIL Chairman, Partha S. Bhattacharyya, said that of the total tender value the cost of equipment would be about $500 million. “We expect the U.S. companies to participate in large numbers with competitive offers in this high-value tender.” According to him, the United States is one of the largest suppliers of heavy earth-moving equipment and CIL currently procures equipment worth around $200 million from American companies on a yearly basis. The meeting also discussed the “excellent response” from the U.S. companies to CIL’s recent global tender seeking strategic partners. About 13 U.S.-based coal-mining companies participated in the tender seeking expression of interest from potential strategic partners. Apart from the United States, companies from Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa also participated in the tender.
