Member Info for Searcher

Https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/matarbari-deep-sea-port-in-bangladesh-to-boost-trade-connectivity-to-eastern-india-as-well-says-official/article70021738.ece

Matarbari deep sea port in Bangladesh to boost trade, connectivity to eastern India as well, says official

As part of the planned deep-sea port, 2,400 MW coal-based power plants are being set up in Matarbari. Of this, 1,200 MW coal-based power plants have already started generating electricity.

This is an interesting project expansion … I know these coal plants would be in another part of the country, but they could use the Mongla, Payra, or even Chattogram ports as interim modes, and still safe hundreds of millions a year on importing coal … 🤔

Not sure how good the translation is but let’s hope he is right ……………….

Bangladesh suddenly became the centre of the globe discussion foreign experts predict that Bangladesh will become a coal production superpower, Bangladesh is going to make history in terms of coal exports, Assalamu Alaikum viewers, I hope everyone is well. Today I come before you with an important report. Will Bangladesh be able to take its foreign exchange reserves to great heights by exporting Bangladeshi coal and coal? Why is the world media obsessed with Bangladesh? Lets start a detailed discussion on this matter. There are huge coal reserves underground in Bangladesh. There are approximately three trillion tons of coal reserves underground in the areas of Barapukuria, Phulbari, Barisal, Jamalganj, in Dinajpur. Which can take Bangladesh’s economy to great heights, and the world media was shaken by this news. There are still many countries in the world that are completely dependent on coal for the production of various types od products in the field of power industry. South Korea, Japan, China, India, and several countries in the middle east import huge amounts of coal, and since Bangladesh has a huge amount of coal worth about three trillion tons, the media in that country is constantly spreading news about Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh has huge coal reserves under its soil, this is huge good news for the economy. Bangladesh economists thought that 80% of our exports come from the garment sector, and being so dependent on one sector or one product is risky for the economy. So when Bangladesh found huge amounts of coal underground, Bangladesh experts say that when a county’s economy depends on various sectors, it is a positive aspect for the economy of any country, including the economy of Bangladesh. Starting coal exports will diversify the life of Bangladesh. Foreign exchange reserves will increase. New jobs will be created. Viewers, you will be happy to know that India, Indonesia, and Australia hold the top position in coal exports in the global market, and Bangladesh has now entered that market. Bangladesh is now a new player in coal exports. Please leave us your valuable comments about this huge treasure trove of coal underground in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh suddenly became the center of the globe discussion foreign experts predict that Bangladesh will become a coal production superpower"

I am on my way out now, so will have to look at the rest later, if no one has done it in the meantime

Not really sure if this is anything or not.... It does mention Phulbari and Bara......

Not sure if anyone is able to translate it at all??

Huge coal mine in Bangladesh, Bangladesh biggest coal mine, Bangladesh coal industry

https://youtu.be/Bom5tgcSd_Y

Looks like the Interim Government are going to give a helping hand as well....

The government is prepared to assist BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman if he chooses to return to Bangladesh, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain on Thursday (September 4).

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Touhid Hossain clarified that the decision to return lies entirely with Tarique Rahman, who has been living in self-exile in London since 2008.

“If he wants to come back, the government will provide all necessary assistance, including resolving any issues related to travel documents,” said the Foreign Affairs Advisor.

“Whether he has applied for a passport or not—I don’t have that information. But if he does, we will provide the required documents to facilitate his return,” he added.

https://www.justnewsbd.com/en/politics/news/26782

After all these years, this will be some home coming .......

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return the country in a few weeks, said Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, the member of the party’s standing committee.

He made this statement while speaking as the chief guest at the national conference of Pubali Bank Employees’ Association on Saturday.

https://en.bd-pratidin.com/national/2025/09/06/45862

Good to see the pressure is being kept up by other governments on Yunus about the election timing ….

UK’s stance on upcoming election

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stressed the need for elections within a set timeframe to restore stability. It said free, fair and participatory polls are vital for a functioning democracy.

British MPs have urged the interim government to publish a roadmap and call early elections, while also demanding guarantees of freedom of expression and protection for political dissent.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/390786/bangladesh-topic-raised-in-british-parliament

Well it’s no wonder Yunus is struggling to find companies to invest in his solar power projects, when these investors look like they have just lost 300 million ….

Interim govt finally cancels approval for 34 solar power plants

Approvals for 34 solar-power plants are finally rescinded following the repeal of a special-provision act by an ordinance promulgated by the post-uprising government, generating frustrations in the entrepreneurs.

Officials said Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) cancelled the approvals on "clear instructions" from the Power Division.

The plant companies regret that the cancellation came while a good number of writ petitions pending with the upper court regarding the disputes.

The BPDB recently sent letters to the companies concerned who were once issued Letter of Intent (LoI) under the impugned Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 to set up the power plants.

BSREA president Mostafa Al Mahmud told the FE that the government had cancelled the LoIs without taking into consideration the plights of the businesses who have already invested some $300 million for the projects.

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/interim-govt-finally-cancels-approval-for-34-solar-power-plants-1757096144?amp=true

Another week closer 😅

150,000 police personnel to receive special training for general election

More than 150,000 police personnel will be provided special training to ensure a fair and secure national election in February, government officials said on Friday,

https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/8fa9170fd374

Good old Google 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2018 — 29 March 2019

In this interim report, GCM confirms the 80% (GCM) / 20% (PowerChina) split applies to both the first and second phase of the 2,000 MW mine-mouth power plant JV agreements (i.e., the initial and additional 2×1,000 MW plants)

I’ll say again though, I’m sure that those percentages will change ….. 🤷‍♂️

Also the proposed solar project adjunct to the Phulbari Coal and Power Project, the percentage split was quoted as being …

• GCM: 50%

• PowerChina International Group Limited: 20%

• Dyani Corporation Limited: 30%

I obviously know, or at least would think that these percentages will change, but It’s clearly stated in GCM’s Final Results for the year ended 30 June 2021, reflecting the January 2019 Joint Venture Agreement and EPC contract, GCM holds an 80% stake and PowerChina 20% 🤷‍♂️

As I say, I’m sure that will change

This is from the RNS, Dec 2021...... so I would actually think the value is probably more now ....

The Project will improve the economic and social well-being of people in the Project area. Community feedback delivers consistent messages that the majority want development of their area (rated as one of the poorest in Bangladesh) and stress the importance of job opportunities and other benefits. Some 17,000 jobs are expected to be directly and indirectly created as a consequence of developing the mine and associated infrastructure. However, many thousands of additional jobs would be created by having an expansive reliable power supply enabling new industrial development. One such industrial opportunity would come through industrial mineral co-products that can be extracted from the mine overburden material removed to access the coal. These co-products (in very large quantities) include clay for bricks and pottery, China Clay for ceramics, silica sand for glass manufacturing and a range of sand, gravels and rock aggregates for the construction industry. Conservative estimates of the value of these co-products amounts to some US$17 Billion over the life of the Project.

This is a statement from the PowerChina $1 billion contract RNS ....

The scope of works under this Mine Construction Contract includes design, procurement, installation, construction and commissioning of mine infrastructure and overburden removal, dewatering and drainage. It also includes selective mining and stockpiling of valuable industrial mineral co-products that occur in the overburden. These co-products are expected to deliver considerable cashflow for the Project ahead of any coal extraction.

The Mine Construction Contract duration is four years, with overburden removal to expose first coal taking some two years. The Company and PowerChina expect to enter additional contracts covering coal extraction and associated activities to support ongoing open pit mining operations and the Project's commitment to deliver high quality coal supporting at least 6,600MW power generation for over 30 years. A joint proposal with development partner, PowerChina, will shortly be presented to the newly elected Bangladesh Government.

As this is now being discussed, just for info, back in 2005 / 2006 although the company was a very different company, and there were only about 50 million shares in issue, just on speculation of getting the green light, the share price went to above £9.00 a share

Obviously at that time we also did not have the billion dollar PowerChina contract, the solar panel farm plan, and it was only one 2000mw coal power plant proposed, not the 6000mw proposed now ….

Obviously as we move forward before the hopeful green light, there will be more updates and changes which will probably change all our predictions, but one thing is almost guaranteed as we move forward to December when the new Energy Master plan is due, with already knowing it’s going to say own coal should be used, with the elections in February, and knowing that all political parties in their manifestos have stated they support own coal, and are now being pushed into setting out their energy policies/ plans before the election, the share price is going to be a lot higher than 6 / 7p as it stands now…

Exciting times ahead, that’s for sure … GL all

Thinking about potential returns here, I quite liked this saying ….

‏”Always remember a diamond is just a piece of coal that did well under pressure”

Things not getting any better at the moment ….

Long hours of power outage strike amidst approaching heatwave

This is unbearable. Power cuts are so frequent that we cannot recharge our IPS,” said Meherun Nesa, a resident of Tangail.

“Since September began, we have been having 10 hours or more of power cuts,” she added.

https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/long-hours-of-power-outage-strike-amidst-approaching-heatwave/167665

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 Jeezzz that made me laugh

Wiseowl, read the article, it was the Interim government as well as professionals that were recommending open pit mining at Phulbari and put a whole presentation on the subject together for the seminar .....

Read the article... it will be amazing how much you learn from it hahahahaha

This is a really interesting article from March posted a few times now, Its an article from the coal seminar which was held in February where the Energy department form the Interim government and many professionals are recommending open pit mining at Phulbari

Read from page 9 on wards

https://online.fliphtml5.com/qklxk/wvlr/#p=1

Just to put the derampers right......

This is a really interesting article from March posted a few times now, Its an article from the coal seminar which was held in February where the Energy department form the Interim government and many professionals are recommending open pit mining at Phulbari

Read from page 9 on wards

https://online.fliphtml5.com/qklxk/wvlr/#p=1