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What I take from this:

1. Wow - look at the quality difference, calorific value and moisture (sulphur likely too), between Dinajpur coal and the imported crap.

2. The cost difference of underground mining versus open pit is staggering if their actual cost per ton is 164USD. This just shows the government is gunning for a lower cost operation.

3. How do you get to pay 130USD or less a ton? The only option is a cheaper way of mining - open pit.

Https://www.observerbd.com/news/539621

Barapukuria Mine faces triple headwinds

Published : Sunday, 17 August, 2025 at 12:00 AM Count : 77

Our Correspondent

DINAJPUR, Aug 16: Bangladesh's only active coal mine, Barapukuria, is teetering on the brink of collapse, hit by three converging blows - mounting unpaid dues, artificially low coal prices, and a swelling excess stockpile.

The adjacent 525-megawatt Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, built in 2006 to utilise the mine's coal, has ironically become a key factor in the mine's decline. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes the mine about Tk 850 crore, while pressure to sell coal below production cost has strained operations further.

Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) began commercial extraction in September 2005. Initially, 65 per cent of its coal went to the power plant and 35 per cent to private buyers, making the venture profitable. But a 2018 government directive mandated 100% supply to the power plant, cutting off lucrative industrial sales.

Since November 2024, tensions have deepened after Power Ministry Secretary Farzana Momtaz became BCMCL's Board Chairperson - a dual role that blurred the line between buyer and seller. BCMCL alleges coal prices have since been set without regard to actual production costs.

In 2022, despite global prices for similar-quality coal ranging from USD 196-430 per ton, PDB paid only USD 176. Now, there is pressure to reduce the rate to USD 130 or less - well below BCMCL's projected average cost of USD 163.44 per ton. Including land acquisition, exploration, and a 15% profit margin, BCMCL says the fair price should be USD 213.62 per ton.

The mine's coal is superior - with a calorific value of 6,137 kcalkg and just 3.39% moisture - compared to imported coal's 4,500-5,000 kcalkg and 28-35% moisture. Yet it remains undervalued.

Production is also hampered by the power plant's underperforming three units, which rarely operate at their full 525 MW capacity, leaving 450,000 tons of coal in storage.

Https://emrd.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/emrd.portal.gov.bd/publications/c26a15a3_3b52_45f5_9a35_f42b63e6e4f8/Booklet%20Final%20Design%201st%20Print%20V-2_compressed.pdf

Nice read and find searcher.

“Decades to come….” Using fossil fuels and Phulbari mentioned too.

Let’s see the reaction in the wider press on this plan. 😁

Tick tock. We can’t be sub 5p come election time 😌

….. and kept some powder dry for any silly stuff 😉

First trade was my top up 😲.

More to come later / tomorrow 🫣🤣

Buys flooding in now 🤔. No one wanted them over the past few days 🤣

Nice to see closetrader

Fishing trip officially cancelled 🤣.

I bought a few to help. Found a bit of cash after all.

* bid

Out they come, 4 of them (for me) 😀

Nice to see the bud tick up.

To take advantage of the approval of the Phulbari Coal project. It’s obvious (to me).

Into next year. End of 1Q is my estimate.

I’m having to wait a few weeks before I can buy more. If it goes up then so be it.

He said end of next month or was it this month. 😆

That should have read “buying opportunity” 😆

Think of it as a further utility g opportunity when funds allow. It can be a positive 😁

I think it’s just a little pause before the big next push digit. I’m talking about sentiment rather than the sp!

Are we on the throes of a massive rise or a small pullback. It’s I. The eye of the beholder.

The next 12 months is going to be an exciting and rewarding one 😉

Https://tob.news/implementing-31-point-plan-is-the-main-challenge-tarique/