NEW DELHI, INDIA (February 7, 2008) – Incorporating efficient surface mining technology and practices in India for smaller mining concessions is the goal of a USTDA grant awarded today to Binani Cement Limited (BCL) of India. This grant supports the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, which seeks to promote increased trade and investment in the energy sector through public-private partnerships and identify areas of cooperation and collaboration between the United States and India.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held today at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Deputy Chief of Mission Steven White and Director Ibrahim Ali signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government and BCL, respectively. USTDA Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia Henry Steingass and BCL Vice President Amit Singha signed as witnesses to the grant agreement.

The USTDA grant awarded to BCL will evaluate the efficiency and cost advantages of BCL’s use of alternate mining technology (AMT) in the development of a captive mining concession supporting its cement plant in Sirohi district in Rajasthan. AMT, where U.S. companies have particular strengths, offers efficiencies in technology and techniques that are particularly applicable to the mining challenges at sites like Nimbri. The project is expected to serve as a template for other Indian companies that obtain similar small captive mining concessions. BCL has selected Gustavson Associates of Boulder, Colorado, to perform the USTDA-funded study. In addition to the USTDA grant, Gustavson will contribute additional resources and BCL will drill core samples and conduct laboratory analysis of the samples in support of the study’s completion.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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