Coal Mining Option Regaining Ground

A recent seminar at the Energy & Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) reignited discussions on mining domestic coal for power generation to reduce reliance on imports. Experts emphasized the necessity of local coal mining, while civil society raised environmental concerns. The Hydrocarbon Unit (HCU) presented on coal reserves, mining prospects, and challenges. Mining Phulbari coal could take three years, while other fields need fresh feasibility studies. Experts suggested that geological conditions should determine whether open-pit or underground mining is suitable.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain

Mining domestic coal resources has again become a topic of discussion following a seminar held at the Energy & Mineral Resources Division (EMRD). Energy Experts and civil society representatives put forward their opinions and observations, saying that the country has hardly any option but to mine local coal and use it for power generation to reduce the dependence on imported coal. However, the civil society representatives raised their concerns about the rationale of mining and using the dirty fuel against the backdrop of the global negative perception of coal. At the seminar, on behalf of the Hydrocarbon Unit (HCU), a presentation was made on reserves of domestic coal, prospects of mining, investment and challenges of environmental and other impacts of mining. It has been stated that mining coal from a field after carrying out fresh pre-feasibility and feasibility studies may take at least 8 years. But for extensive techno-economic feasibility and other studies already done, mining of Phulbari coal is possible in three years. As there exist disputes over the mining of Phulbari coal, decisions may be made after reviewing and auditing the Scheme of Development submitted at the EMRD by an independent accredited mining consultant. At the same time, emphasis was given to carrying out fresh feasibility studies for mining at Dighipara, Khalaspir, and Jamalganj coal fields. Some experts observed that nature has set the directions for whether open pit or underground mining would be appropriate for the given mine.