The partial open-pit mining of Barapukuria coalmine
Thursday, 21 October 2010
THE government is trying to come out of the dilemma over the method of extraction of coal, at least, in the case of the northern part of the Barapukaria coalmine. The southern part of the mine is being exploited through the traditional method of underground mining which, usually, helps extraction of only 20 to 25 per cent of the coal reserve. According to a report published in this daily last Monday, the energy ministry at the directive from the Prime Minister's office, has decided to go for 'open-pit' mining in the northern part of the Barapukuria mine which spans over an area of 271 hectares.
However, before initiating the 'open-pit' method, the energy ministry would go for a feasibility study, based on experiences to be gathered by a 'high-powered' government delegation about to visit several open-pit coalmines in Germany. The government has also decided to adequately compensate about 5000 villagers, who have dwellings and croplands in areas to be brought under the planned 'open-pit' mining. People living in the vicinity of the coalmine have already been affected by land subsidence and had in 2008, forced the mining company to suspend production and pay compensation.
Since there is a strong possibility of land-subsidence recurring within the mine area, the idea of compensating villagers and helping their relocation is wise, as it will enable the government to exploit the coal reserves to the fullest extent, nearly 90 per cent. The cost involved in the payment of such compensation is not much, considering the likely benefit, financial or otherwise, for the nation. The government is in urgent need of adequate quantities of coal to keep the 250 megawatt (MW) power plant, established at the Barapukuria mine site, operational. 'Open-pit' extraction of coal from the mine, that has a deposit of around 390 million tonnes, would also help set up a few more coal-based power plants.
Despite the fact that the country is rich in coal deposits -- an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes -- it has gone for exploiting only one coalmine. The five coalmines discovered so far at Barapukuria, Phulbari, Jamalganj, Khalsapir and Dighipara have deposits equivalent to 65 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, enough to ensure the country's energy security in both medium and long terms. With its dwindling gas reserve the energy ministry is finding it hard to meet the demand for the same from different types of consumers, including power plants. The country's economy should grow at an annual rate of 7.0 per cent or above to make an effective dent in its 'poverty syndrome'. But the twin problems of gas shortages and power load-shedding have become the main hurdles to achieving the much-needed growth target.
The decision relating to open-pit mining of the northern part of Barapukuria coalmine does indicate that the government has opted for dealing with the coal extraction issue on a case by case basis, instead of a blanket formula generally prescribed in a coal policy. Successive governments have struggled hard to arrive at a common ground on the methods of coal extraction and politically sensitive issues such as loss of arable land and displacement of population in the prospective locations of the coalmines. The start of 'open-pit' mining in one part of Barapukuria would hopefully soften the stance of the hardliners. It would however, be proper on the part of the government to include genuine experts in the delegation to Germany to make the visit truly meaningful.
However, before initiating the 'open-pit' method, the energy ministry would go for a feasibility study, based on experiences to be gathered by a 'high-powered' government delegation about to visit several open-pit coalmines in Germany. The government has also decided to adequately compensate about 5000 villagers, who have dwellings and croplands in areas to be brought under the planned 'open-pit' mining. People living in the vicinity of the coalmine have already been affected by land subsidence and had in 2008, forced the mining company to suspend production and pay compensation.
Since there is a strong possibility of land-subsidence recurring within the mine area, the idea of compensating villagers and helping their relocation is wise, as it will enable the government to exploit the coal reserves to the fullest extent, nearly 90 per cent. The cost involved in the payment of such compensation is not much, considering the likely benefit, financial or otherwise, for the nation. The government is in urgent need of adequate quantities of coal to keep the 250 megawatt (MW) power plant, established at the Barapukuria mine site, operational. 'Open-pit' extraction of coal from the mine, that has a deposit of around 390 million tonnes, would also help set up a few more coal-based power plants.
Despite the fact that the country is rich in coal deposits -- an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes -- it has gone for exploiting only one coalmine. The five coalmines discovered so far at Barapukuria, Phulbari, Jamalganj, Khalsapir and Dighipara have deposits equivalent to 65 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, enough to ensure the country's energy security in both medium and long terms. With its dwindling gas reserve the energy ministry is finding it hard to meet the demand for the same from different types of consumers, including power plants. The country's economy should grow at an annual rate of 7.0 per cent or above to make an effective dent in its 'poverty syndrome'. But the twin problems of gas shortages and power load-shedding have become the main hurdles to achieving the much-needed growth target.
The decision relating to open-pit mining of the northern part of Barapukuria coalmine does indicate that the government has opted for dealing with the coal extraction issue on a case by case basis, instead of a blanket formula generally prescribed in a coal policy. Successive governments have struggled hard to arrive at a common ground on the methods of coal extraction and politically sensitive issues such as loss of arable land and displacement of population in the prospective locations of the coalmines. The start of 'open-pit' mining in one part of Barapukuria would hopefully soften the stance of the hardliners. It would however, be proper on the part of the government to include genuine experts in the delegation to Germany to make the visit truly meaningful.