Barapukuria coal mine
Barapukuria Coal Mine is run by the Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited.[1] Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited is a subsidiary of the state owned Petrobangla.[2] The mine is located at Parbatipur upazila in Dinajpur. This is the lone active coal mine in Bangladesh.[3]
 Barapukuria Coal Mine, Bangladesh | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Barapukuria Coal Mine | |
| Location | Chowhati, Parbatipur |
| Dinajpur | |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Coordinates | 25°32′51.2″N 88°57′38.6″E |
| Owner | |
| Company | Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited, Petrobangla |
| Website | http://bcmcl.org.bd/ |
| Year of acquisition | 1997 |
History
In Pre-partition era of British India, coal from Garo hills of Meghalaya was transported and traded through East Bengal. Mining offices opened in Dhaka and trade was aided by British Rail network in India.[4] In 1961 UN-Pak Mineral Survey Project started surveys in then East Pakistan (today Bangladesh) by Geological Survey of Pakistan. In 1962 the survey found 1.05 million ton of coal in Jamalganj, Sunamganj District. The next big discovery came in 1985 when Geological Survey of Bangladesh discovered coal in Dinajpur. In 1989 a coalfield was discovered in khalashpir, Rangpur District and another in 1995 in Dighipara by the Geological Survey of Bangladesh. Multinational BHP discovered Phulbari coalfield in 1997. Global Coal Management is waiting approval for the Phulbari coalfield.[5] Bangladesh has an estimated 2 billion tonnes of coal in underground reserves in the Northwest region of the country.[6]
Adverse Impact
The locals near the mine have reported damages to their houses. The water bodies near the mine have dried up. In response the government has acquired lands near the mine.[7]
References
- "Mining shut in Barapukuria coal mine at Dinajpur". Dhaka Tribune. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- Minerals Yearbook, 2008, V. 3, Area Reports, International, Asia and the Pacific. Government Printing Office. 2010-10-25. p. 41. ISBN 9781411329645.
- "Barapukuria Coal Mine Workers Suspend Strike - Energy Bangla". Energy Bangla. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- Lahiri-Dutt, Kuntala (2016-03-23). The Coal Nation: Histories, Ecologies and Politics of Coal in India. Routledge. ISBN 9781317037965.
- Interior, US Department of the (2017-03-19). Minerals Yearbook: Area Reports: International 2007: Asia and the Pacific. Government Printing Office. p. 4.1. ISBN 9781411325326.
- Ltd, Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty; Bank, Asian Development (2006-01-01). Bangladesh Phulbari coal project: environmental assessment report. Asian Development Bank. pp. ii.
- "Barapukuria Coal Mine: Cracks in houses in surrounding areas, lakes drying up". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2017-02-04.