Urgent need for domestic coal development11 Mar 2025 15:50
Energy sector experts reiterated the need for urgent decision of the government for utilising domestic coal resources at a seminar held in Dhaka. Policy makers, relevant government department officials, academia and researchers gathered on February 27, 2025 at the seminar titled 'Prospects and ways to overcome challenges of coal resources in Bangladesh.' The seminar was organised by the Hydrocarbon Unit (HCU) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources at the Biddyut Bhaban, Dhaka. Energy Secretary Mr. Saiful Islam chaired the seminar.
Dr. Arup Kumar Biswas, Director, HCU and Mr. Saiful Islam Sarker, Managing Director, Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd. (BCMCL) made keynote presentations on the coal fields and their resource status in the country as well as the experience of mining coal from Barapukuria underground coal mine. Sector specialists and researchers participated in discussions at the seminar.
It was reported that Bangladesh had so far discovered five major coal fields in the northern districts (Jamalganj, Barapukuria, Khalashpir, Dighipara and Phulbari coal fields). These coal fields have approximately 7,823 million tons of coal. The coal fields have been studied for suitable mining options and their impacts involving various local and international organisations. Available information suggests that Barapukuria and Phulbari fields have been studied intensively for mining and further development. HCU informed that 834 million ton coal could be mined at this stage mainly from Phulbari and Barapukuria coal fields using open cut mining method. BCMCL, a subsidiary company of Petrobangla has been operating a small underground coalmine since 2005 at Barapukuria, Dinajpur. So far, Barapukuria mined approximately 15 million ton of coal from the mine. The coal has been supplied to the mine mouth 525 MW coal fired power plant for generating electric energy (the power plant requires approximately 5,000 ton of coal per day for optimally operating the power plant. But the mine in operation could not supply the required amount of coal due to its limited production capacity). BCMCL needs urgent government decision for expanding its mine operations and mine life. The present mine operation and management contract of the BCMCL with the Chinese Contractor 'XMC-CMC Consortium' remains valid until 2027 for underground mine operations. The Barapukuria coal field (covering an area of 6.68 km2) has a proven reserve of 410 million ton coal within the depths 118-509 meters (mining activities have been limited within the 'central part' of the coal field having 170 million ton reserve). BCMCL has engaged several international consultants to determine mine life extension, improved coal recovery and for safe and efficient coal production options. Managing Director, BCMCL informed the seminar that the 'northern and southern' parts of the Barapukuria coal field could be mined economically only with open cut mine because of the geological, te
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