RE: Bangladesh: Concerns raised over 'continued torture' of journalists under Yunus administration5 Jul 2025 14:34
Don’t forget this from March though
‘The government is favouring open-pit coal mining, saying that it intends to start the discussion, making things easier for the next government,’ said Shamsul Alam, who also attended the government discussion.
The Hydrocarbon Unit completed the presentation, made by its director Arup Kumar Biswas, in 17 slides concluding that open-pit coal mining is the only feasible way for coal extraction in Phulbari.
Starting with the recent rise in global coal consumption, particularly in Asia, the presentation argued that coal would remain a major energy source through 2040.
The presentation gave a wrong estimate of the country’s current coal-based installed power generation capacity, inflating the actual capacity by over 2,500MW, while saying that open-pit mining would meet an estimated annual demand of up to 30 million tonnes, saving $4 billion.
Stating that the country’s minable coal deposit is 834 million tonnes, the presentation listed the benefits of open-pit coal mining through comparisons with underground mining and boasted technological advances.
According to the presentation, open-pit mining lowers health risks, reduces mining time while ensuring maximum output, and results in the extraction of co-products.
The Hydrocarbon Unit assured in the presentation of partially refuelling the aquifer, restoring 5,192 hectares of land, half of it agricultural land, to its previous fertile condition and giving farmers their livelihood back within three to five years after the end of mining.
The presentation was also flooded with many economic benefits of open-pit mining in Phulbari, such as the extraction of coal worth $83 billion over 30 years, an income of $16 billion in royalty and taxes, and an extra income of $17 billion from co-products.
The presentation also guaranteed in the presentation a $15 billion investment in working capital and operation from the mining company. The Hydrocarbon Unit, however, did not say who the investor could be.
Power and energy adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan could not be reached for comments over phone. Energy secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam did not answer his phone either.
A search online revealed that the GCM Resources was actively pursuing the Phulbari open-pit coal mine project.
The Global Energy Monitor Wiki, an online database of energy projects around the world, shows that Phulbari mine is still a property of the GCM Resources. It has also listed significant developments until 2022 regarding the GCM’s striking a deal with others, mainly from China, to develop the Phulbari coal mine.
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