Roundtable Discussion; The Future of Mineral Sands. Watch the video here.
On the one I have received there is also a mp3 audio file called Power China Stock Exchange announcement, hopefully it will come through on the below, I actually beiieve this all a done deal now...
https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/powerchina-unit-to-design-coal-mine-in-bangladesh-for-usd9698-million
Missed this one
'There is a wrong belief that coal exploration will create desertification in the coal region, and the aquifer will be impacted. But all coal mines elsewhere in the world did not create deserts. There exists off-the-shelf technology for managing aquifers, managing mine water, and reclaiming agricultural land. Authentic study reports are available to the government. But the uninformed guess of some policymakers keeps the government in dilemma over mining coal. People still showing dreams about underground coal gasification. Even in Queensland Australia UCG was a disaster. State Minister for Energy Nasrul Hamid was briefed about it during his visit to Australia in 2016'
https://ep-bd.com/view/details/article/OTk3MQ%3D%3D/title?q=energy+sector+scenario+of+bangladesh
This platform is showing us 13.66% down on Fridays closing price of 9.08, however at the time of the closing auction the bid/offer was 8.20:8.80, however someone with access to DMA (direct Market Access) put in 2893 shares on the offer at 7.84 a princely sum of £228, this creates the illusion that we dropped 13.88% when in reality without that trade we would have had a closing price of 8.50 a 6.8% drop. They did exactly the same in the 2pm auction with 3106 shares and blatantly in the 11am Auction where they dropped in 3186 shares on the offer at 8p when the price prior to the auction was 8.80:9.50. I generally take comments about manipulation with a pinch of salt, but in this instance, along with the posts trying to spread doubt and negativity, its pretty clear there is a concerted effort to get the price down, in reality we are still within a comfortable consolidation range at 8.5p. Could be shorter, could be Accumulators I don't know but I do do my own research and don't take what I am presented with as fact, especially with a share like this where the upside is massive there will always be attempts at manipulation.
THE PM is addressing the Nation 7.30pm this evening (Bangladesh time) on the topic of Indepence, thats about now, wonder if she will say anything along the lines of 'to be truly independent also requires economic independence which requires a move towards energy independence'
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/o904ah22d3
Paul Shackleton interesting cv
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paul-shackleton?original_referer=
/cont ...According to Petrobangla, the total coal reserves of discovered coalfields in the country are 7962 million metric tons. Among them, Barapukuria has 410 million tons, Dighipara has 865 million tons, Phulbari has 572 million tons, Khalashpir has 685 million tons and Jamalganj has 5450 million tons of coal reserves
The government is mulling over domestic energy extraction and exploration. In view of this, the energy department has started thinking anew about the country's coal mines. Among the 5 coal mines of the country, the energy department is planning to extract coal by open method in Barapukuria and Phulbari, underground method in Khalashpir and Dighipara and coal gasification method in Jamalganj.
Among the mines discovered in the country, Jamalaganj mine in Joypurhat is the largest. Its depth is 641 meters to 1158 meters. There are 5450 million tons of coal in reserve here. Even though there are so many reserves of coal, experts believe that it is difficult to extract coal from here in the current context. Experts have suggested that a full feasibility study should be conducted on whether underground coal gasification is feasible. Those concerned think that the overall situation and the environment should be taken into consideration if coal is to be extracted in an open manner.
It is stated in the report that a plan has been taken to extract coal through the use of this modern technology.
If coal can be extracted from the country's mines, a new revolution will take place in the energy sector for the country. On the one hand, energy demand in the power sector will reduce import dependence, on the other hand, energy experts believe that the country will save a huge amount of money. It is believed that a new revolution will take place in the country through this. Let's bring a new day, let the wind blow on the sails of development.
Now have the full transcript, not going to bother with all the technicals of underground mine the important bits are Phulbari and Bara by Open Pit, we now that Bara is going to continue long wall (underground) till 2027 when their licence expires, we know that it will be several more years beyond that before Bara could go Open Pit (This is all in their annual report) so what is left only Phulbari can get to first coal within 2-3 years, only Phulbari has done all the required studies and is ready to go with a $Billion contract signed with Power China to start on the nod. Here's the transcript from yesterday's video. minus the underground tech stuff,
Initiative For Extracting Coal From Reserve
It is said that Bangladesh is another name full of natural resources. The world's largest coal reserves have been found in this country. Still, Bangladesh has to import coal to meet the country's energy needs and the government spends a lot of money in this sector. This time a plan has been taken to meet the demand of the energy sector with domestic coal. I have organized today's episode about the country's coal extraction with answers to the questions of what is in that plan or how coal will be extracted
But recently due to the increase in global fuel prices, coal is preferred by various countries of the world. Bangladesh also wants to look at coal reserves in the country due to high global fuel prices. Due to post-industrialization and urbanization, the demand for electricity is increasing every day.
. In this case, the alternative source is coal. The coal-fired power generation capacity under construction and in operation is 11,329 MW. About 35 million tons of coal is required for this power generation. Most of which have to be imported.
So far 5 major coal mines have been discovered in the country. These include Barapukuria coalfield in Dinajpur, Jamalganj coalfield in Jaipurhat, Khalashpi coalfield in Rangpur district and Dighipara coalfield in Dinajpur to mention
I sent this overnight requesting a summary translation response below. So yet another piece of news in the public domain saying the same thing that permission is coming to open pit at Phulbari, and no negative articles
‘It is recent in that it refers to the Energy Ministry taking initiative towards open pit mining Phulbari and Barapukuria North end
The clip is positive in that it mentions the Energy Ministry taking initiative for open pit mining of Phulbari and North end of Barapukuria at around 5 to 6 minutes in.’
https://youtu.be/wxKMGz2u_mk?si=CkjZLGo8F331wVG5
Expert opinion
The use of coal in power generation in Bangladesh is constantly increasing. According to the government's master plan, 10-11 thousand megawatts of electricity will be produced from coal in the near future. A large amount of coal will have to be imported to produce this electricity. For this, Bangladesh has to spend foreign currency every year. It is also estimated that the current international market price of coal can exceed six billion dollars.
In this situation, energy experts see the need to take a quick decision on domestic coal extraction.
https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/ce7xznl4wj1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTmWF1rnq9U
Of the five coal mines discovered in Bangladesh, only one is extracted from Barapukuria. Since 2005, coal has been extracted on a commercial basis in the underground system. The Barapukuria coal mine has 410 million tonnes of coal reserves. Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) has no approved plan to extract coal after 2027.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told BBC Bangla that if the decision to extract coal is not taken, there is a possibility of the closure of the 500 MW coal-based power plant in Barapukuria.
. We are working in Barapukuria. We have to do it again. If we don't, our 500 MW power plant will be shut down. In the next two years. We have to extract coal there. ”
In February this year, a meeting was held at the Energy Division to discuss the progress and proposals for five coal mines in the country. In the presentation given to the state minister at the meeting, it was recommended that coal mining can be done in the northern part of the Barapukuria coal mine in an open manner.
Nasrul Hamid said 3,000 tonnes of coal is currently extracted daily from Barapukuria. There are more possibilities and it is possible to extract 8,000 to 9,000 tons of coal a day.
"We will ask for the Prime Minister's time in a special way. We'll show her If she is satisfied, we may start the work of Dighipara and Barapukuria. We have two proposals in Barapukuria. Some parts have to be open pit and some parts have to be underground. ”
Recommendation for open-pit coal mining
Considering the energy crisis and future energy security, the energy division plans to extract coal from three new coal mines – Phulbari, Dighipara and Khalashpi.
The state minister told BBC Bangla that among these three, Phulbari can be made open pit and the remaining two are underground.
There are two main methods of coal extraction. One is open pit mining. The maximum amount of coal can be extracted from the mine by this method. A company named Asia Energy (now GCM) has recommended open coal extraction from the Phulbari coal mine in Dinajpur. Phulbari has 572 million tonnes of coal reserves at a depth of 141-270 meters in the ground covering an area of 24 square kilometres.
Opposition to an open approach
Professor Anu Muhammad commented "If the Ministry of Energy had the national interest, our future and the security of our people and the importance of our water resources in their heads, they would not have such thoughts," he said. The government has moved on a disastrous path to provide benefits to local and foreign companies. Coal-based mega projects have been done. Now there is a crisis of imports, it is going to take another disastrous decision to solve it.
/cont
“BBC Bangla has learned from the Ministry of Energy that a proposal based on various surveys and feasibility studies conducted in the country's coal mines will be presented to the Prime Minister by April and approval will be sought.”
This in BBC Bangla both a written article and a radio piece in Bangla – relevant bit is 19-27 minutes in.
Below is a link to both their news website and the Radio article if you scroll down you'll see article 15 March on open pit coal mining … I have google translated, to be transparent I have had 3 differing versions and as usual there are a few anomalies in the translation. It’s long article and I have picked out what I see as the relevant and consistent bits, It confirms a presentation to the PM for final sign off by April. I have only included one comment by Prof Anu Muhammad re his the opposition to open pit bit as he is against progress in anything anywhere and his rhetoric is just that - but this comment would seem to indicate he even thinks it’s going to be approved (When his rent a mob crew turned up at Phulbari a few years back to demonstrate the villagers beat them up and sent them packing). Haven’t bothered with BUET Professor Tamin either as he is basically saying we should do it if we can manage the water table (GCM has commissioned and submitted studies on this already)
New initiative of open pit coal mining in Bangladesh
BBC News Bangla
15 March 2024
New open pit coal mining initiative in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is preparing to extract its own coal to reduce energy crisis and import dependency in the future, where there are also plans to extract coal in the open system. The proposal of the Ministry of Energy for the high-level decision of the government will be finalized in the initial phase of coal extraction of three mines of the country.
So far, five coal mines have been discovered in the northern part of Bangladesh. These mines have 7,823 million tons of coal reserves. Twenty percent of this coal is extractable, amounting to 1,564.6 million tonnes. This amount of coal is capable of meeting the energy demand equivalent to 40.6 trillion cubic feet of gas.
BBC Bangla has learned from the Ministry of Energy that a proposal based on various surveys and feasibility studies conducted in the country's coal mines will be presented to the Prime Minister by April and approval will be sought.
The future of Bangladesh's coal resources will be determined on the basis of the decision that will come from the higher level after analyzing the proposal. If coal extraction is approved at this stage, it will be possible to lift coal within the next three years by starting mining work.
Been waiting for someone to post that, It is based on Petrobangla trying to seem relevant, the power lies with Nasrul Hamid at the Energy and Power Ministry. As soon as i read it earlier I knew it was rubbish because i have read the BCMCL report where they are talking coal gasification for Digiipara as it's so deep it's uneconomical and limited recovery, the article refers to $160 a ton to extract thats higher than the spot price of imported coal.
Here are a couple of other articles telling a totally different story. The key message is the country needs a reliable / low risk supply of 36 million tonnes annually NOW!.... Barapukuria underground at best 1 million tonnes / annum and Dighipara in 7-10 years maybe up to 3 million tonnes per annum (with lots of luck!).... Phulbari with over 15 Millom tonnes per annum is vital in the supply equation!... and could be producing coal within 3 years of the approval! We know that Nasrul is going to meet with Hasinna to recommend they OP Phulbari and that there are further discussions going on re infrastructure and off take agreements, Gary has repeatedly said when I have asked him about BD Press articles - Don't believe everything you read in the Press (true here too)
https://businesspostbd.com/front/1b-needed-for-dighipara-mine-development-2023-04-08
https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=319129
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said everyone will get relief with economical use of power during the Ramadan, summer and irrigation season.
“Gas supply has been increasing for power generation and its situation will be improved gradually. But we have to be economical in using electricity and energy,” he said this while presiding over a meeting on power and gas allocation to the industrial category during the Ramadan, ongoing summer and irrigation season.
He said that uninterrupted electricity-gas supply is the main goal of the present government, adding, “At this time it was decided that the electric pumps will be open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 am for irrigation. The CNG stations will remain closed from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On the occasion of Eid, the CNG stations will be opened 24 hours from 7th April to 18th April 2024.”
Nasrul Hamid said the CNG stations will be opened and closed as before after the Eid.
Seeking everyone's cooperation, he said that electricity and energy will be comfortable for others if you save it and use efficiently.
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/739116