Early exploration of Khalashpir coal can help generate more power
Monday, 27 December 2010
A K M Shamsuddin
Bangladesh is presently producing 4000 MW of electricity during the peak hours against the demand of 5500 MW. Thus, the country is facing acute power shortage. The government has planned to raise the power production by increasing the gas production to feed the existing gas-fired power plants and import coal to run future coal-based power plants. In August 2006 a very high grade bituminous coal deposit to the tune of 490.00 million tonnes was discovered at Khalashpir in Pirganj of Rangpur District. There is a bright prospect of generating 1000 MW of electricity by utilising Khalashpir coal.
Khalashpir coal exploration: A techno-economic feasibility study of Khalashpir coal deposit in Pirganj Upazila in Rangpur District was made by Hosaf-Chinese Consortium during 2004-2006 under an exploration licence contract with the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD).
The consortium conducted high resolution 2D (over 12.25 sq km) and 3D seismic survey (over 3.0 sq km) and drilled fourteen exploration bore holes covering an area of 12.25 sq km over Khalashpir coal basin during 2004-2006. It may be mentioned here that 3D seismic survey was conducted for the first time in Bangladesh in coal exploration work. A total of 5028 shot holes were drilled under 2D/3D seismic survey. 3D seismic survey was conducted in the central zone of the coal basin to have better and precise pictures of the structural features including faults.
Khalashpir coal reserve: On the basis of 45.5 line kilometer (LKM) seismic survey and 17-exploration bore holes, the consortium discovered a total reserve of 491.95 million tonnes of very high quality bituminous coal spreading over eight coal seams ranging in depth from 245 metres to 480 metres from the surface covering an area of 7.5 sq km area over the Khalashpir coal basin. The average calorific value of coal has been found as 12,500 BTU/lb, having average ash content 13.3 per cent, average volatile matter content 26.72 per cent, average fixed carbon content 59.97 per cent and average sulphur content 0.67 per cent. The coal seams dip towards south-east at an angle of 7-10 degrees.
The coal reserves of 491.95 million tonnes are confined within 7.5 sq km area. Further seismic survey and exploration drilling towards north-west and south-east of the basin will substantially enhance the total reserve.
Proposed mining in Khalashpir: The principal coal seams No 1, 2 and 4, containing a measured reserve of 297.57 million tonnes have been identified by the consortium for mining. The measured reserve of 297.57 million tonnes includes about 26.70 million tonnes of coking coal in seams No 2 & 4. Coking coal is used in the manufacture of steel. There are another 98.95 million tonnes of indicated coal reserves in seams No 1, 2 & 4. The thickness of the principal coal seams No 1, 2 and 4 varies from 5.0 metres to 35.0 metres. The consortium proposed underground coal mining method considering the geological and hydro-geological settings of the coal deposit, environment and social aspects of the region and depth of the coal seams from the surface. The coal seams will be approached by sinking vertical shafts. Underground coal mining methods, namely, Longwall Mining, Room & Pillar Mining and Longwall Top Coal Caving (LTCC) will be utilised for coal extraction under different mining conditions and based on other geological parameters and thickness of the coal seams. The coal bearing Gondwana Formation in Khalashpir coal basin is overlain by Surma Formation, which will act as a barrier to arrest water flow from water bearing Dupi Tila Formation to Gondwana Formation. Therefore, the Khalashpir Coal Mine will not probably encounter water flow in the coal faces. This Surma formation in between Dupi Tila and Gondwana is missing in Barapukuria Coal Mine, as a result, Barapukuria Coal Mine encounter water flow in coal faces.
Approximately 1.00 sq km area or 247.00 acres of land will have to be acquired for construction of two shafts and installation of surface facilities. The lands to be acquired are mostly agricultural land and there are small portion of villages. There are no permanent structures, forests, graveyards in the land in question. About 5000 people will be affected, as they will lose their land. They need to be rehabilitated. Employment opportunity will be there for the affected people.
Power generation from Khalashpir coal: The development of Khalashpir Coal Mine will take four years and initial coal production of 1.00 million tonnes will start from the 5th year and 2.00 million tonnes from the 7th year when 500 MW of electricity will be generated. The coal production will be raised to 4.00 million tonnes per annum from the 12th year when 1000 MW of electricity will be generated. This will continue up to the 30th year. The life of the mine is expected to be 30 years and during this period a total of about 100.00 million tonnes of coal will be extracted from seams No. 1, 2 & 4.
The development and production from seams No 5, 6, 7 & 8 will be considered after completion of production from the first three principal seams and as per requirement of the country.
Khalashpir coal for power generation: On completion of coal exploration work under an "exploration licence programme", the Bangladeshi-Chinese consortium submitted the feasibility study report of Khalashpir coal deposit to the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD) in August 2006, seeking mining lease under the provisions of exploration licence contract and Bangladesh Mines and Mineral Rules. During the last Caretaker government the Khalashpir feasibility report was not evaluated due to the absence of a coal policy. But the fact is that Coal Policy is not at all relevant for the evaluation of Khalashpir coal feasibility report. The Khalashpir coal exploration work was done under an exploration licence contract, which is based on Bangladesh Mines & Minerals Rules. Therefore the feasibility report is to be evaluated under the guidelines of Bangladesh Mines and Mineral Rules. The present government has started the evaluation - but it is going in a very slow speed. It can be strongly said that Khalashpir coal is capable to start generating 1000 MW of electricity within five years' time from now -- if the mining lease is awarded to a competent coal mining company immediately under the provisions of Bangladesh Mines and Minerals Rules. The government is planning to generate electricity by importing coal. The government may now consider using Khalashpir coal for power generation.
The writer, an engineer is a Petroleum & Mining Consultant and former managing director of Paschimanchal Gas Company Ltd (PGCL) Petrobangla, and can be reached at e-mail: sham19472001@yahoo.com
Bangladesh is presently producing 4000 MW of electricity during the peak hours against the demand of 5500 MW. Thus, the country is facing acute power shortage. The government has planned to raise the power production by increasing the gas production to feed the existing gas-fired power plants and import coal to run future coal-based power plants. In August 2006 a very high grade bituminous coal deposit to the tune of 490.00 million tonnes was discovered at Khalashpir in Pirganj of Rangpur District. There is a bright prospect of generating 1000 MW of electricity by utilising Khalashpir coal.
Khalashpir coal exploration: A techno-economic feasibility study of Khalashpir coal deposit in Pirganj Upazila in Rangpur District was made by Hosaf-Chinese Consortium during 2004-2006 under an exploration licence contract with the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD).
The consortium conducted high resolution 2D (over 12.25 sq km) and 3D seismic survey (over 3.0 sq km) and drilled fourteen exploration bore holes covering an area of 12.25 sq km over Khalashpir coal basin during 2004-2006. It may be mentioned here that 3D seismic survey was conducted for the first time in Bangladesh in coal exploration work. A total of 5028 shot holes were drilled under 2D/3D seismic survey. 3D seismic survey was conducted in the central zone of the coal basin to have better and precise pictures of the structural features including faults.
Khalashpir coal reserve: On the basis of 45.5 line kilometer (LKM) seismic survey and 17-exploration bore holes, the consortium discovered a total reserve of 491.95 million tonnes of very high quality bituminous coal spreading over eight coal seams ranging in depth from 245 metres to 480 metres from the surface covering an area of 7.5 sq km area over the Khalashpir coal basin. The average calorific value of coal has been found as 12,500 BTU/lb, having average ash content 13.3 per cent, average volatile matter content 26.72 per cent, average fixed carbon content 59.97 per cent and average sulphur content 0.67 per cent. The coal seams dip towards south-east at an angle of 7-10 degrees.
The coal reserves of 491.95 million tonnes are confined within 7.5 sq km area. Further seismic survey and exploration drilling towards north-west and south-east of the basin will substantially enhance the total reserve.
Proposed mining in Khalashpir: The principal coal seams No 1, 2 and 4, containing a measured reserve of 297.57 million tonnes have been identified by the consortium for mining. The measured reserve of 297.57 million tonnes includes about 26.70 million tonnes of coking coal in seams No 2 & 4. Coking coal is used in the manufacture of steel. There are another 98.95 million tonnes of indicated coal reserves in seams No 1, 2 & 4. The thickness of the principal coal seams No 1, 2 and 4 varies from 5.0 metres to 35.0 metres. The consortium proposed underground coal mining method considering the geological and hydro-geological settings of the coal deposit, environment and social aspects of the region and depth of the coal seams from the surface. The coal seams will be approached by sinking vertical shafts. Underground coal mining methods, namely, Longwall Mining, Room & Pillar Mining and Longwall Top Coal Caving (LTCC) will be utilised for coal extraction under different mining conditions and based on other geological parameters and thickness of the coal seams. The coal bearing Gondwana Formation in Khalashpir coal basin is overlain by Surma Formation, which will act as a barrier to arrest water flow from water bearing Dupi Tila Formation to Gondwana Formation. Therefore, the Khalashpir Coal Mine will not probably encounter water flow in the coal faces. This Surma formation in between Dupi Tila and Gondwana is missing in Barapukuria Coal Mine, as a result, Barapukuria Coal Mine encounter water flow in coal faces.
Approximately 1.00 sq km area or 247.00 acres of land will have to be acquired for construction of two shafts and installation of surface facilities. The lands to be acquired are mostly agricultural land and there are small portion of villages. There are no permanent structures, forests, graveyards in the land in question. About 5000 people will be affected, as they will lose their land. They need to be rehabilitated. Employment opportunity will be there for the affected people.
Power generation from Khalashpir coal: The development of Khalashpir Coal Mine will take four years and initial coal production of 1.00 million tonnes will start from the 5th year and 2.00 million tonnes from the 7th year when 500 MW of electricity will be generated. The coal production will be raised to 4.00 million tonnes per annum from the 12th year when 1000 MW of electricity will be generated. This will continue up to the 30th year. The life of the mine is expected to be 30 years and during this period a total of about 100.00 million tonnes of coal will be extracted from seams No. 1, 2 & 4.
The development and production from seams No 5, 6, 7 & 8 will be considered after completion of production from the first three principal seams and as per requirement of the country.
Khalashpir coal for power generation: On completion of coal exploration work under an "exploration licence programme", the Bangladeshi-Chinese consortium submitted the feasibility study report of Khalashpir coal deposit to the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD) in August 2006, seeking mining lease under the provisions of exploration licence contract and Bangladesh Mines and Mineral Rules. During the last Caretaker government the Khalashpir feasibility report was not evaluated due to the absence of a coal policy. But the fact is that Coal Policy is not at all relevant for the evaluation of Khalashpir coal feasibility report. The Khalashpir coal exploration work was done under an exploration licence contract, which is based on Bangladesh Mines & Minerals Rules. Therefore the feasibility report is to be evaluated under the guidelines of Bangladesh Mines and Mineral Rules. The present government has started the evaluation - but it is going in a very slow speed. It can be strongly said that Khalashpir coal is capable to start generating 1000 MW of electricity within five years' time from now -- if the mining lease is awarded to a competent coal mining company immediately under the provisions of Bangladesh Mines and Minerals Rules. The government is planning to generate electricity by importing coal. The government may now consider using Khalashpir coal for power generation.
The writer, an engineer is a Petroleum & Mining Consultant and former managing director of Paschimanchal Gas Company Ltd (PGCL) Petrobangla, and can be reached at e-mail: sham19472001@yahoo.com