Dighipara has 706m tonnes minable coal

Finds study conducted by companies based in Germany & Australia

FE Team | Published: March 10, 2020 00:38:56

The Dighipara basin in Dinajpur district is the second largest among the discovered coal fields in Bangladesh, having around 706 million (70.60 crore) tonnes of extractable coal reserves, reports BSS.
According to a feasibility study report, Dighipara has a high quality coal resource of 706 million tonnes with a high level of confidence.
The feasibility study was jointly conducted by Germany- based MIBRAG Consulting International GmbH, FUGRO Consult GmbH and Runge Pincook Minaroo Limited of Australia.
It said coal is deposited on 12.8 square kilometres land and the government can extract three million (30 lakh) tonnes of coal from the mine every year. It is technically possible to mine 90 million tonnes of coal from Dighipara allowing the powering of Thermal Power Station for 30-40 years.
The study report said, the energy content of the coal is high and the ash content is low and the coal is overlain by a very think sequence of semi-consolidated material that host large volume aquifers.
The consortium understands that the delivery of more than 3.0 million tonnes of high quality thermal coal from the Dighipara lease area is a critical element in the ongoing energy security and energy growth in Bangladesh.
Contribution from this project area was planned as a part of the overall Bangladesh Energy Master Plan.
Talking to the news agency, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the latest technology will be used to develop the coal field protecting the environment and agricultural land.
He said the government is committed to protecting agricultural land and nature along with environment of the country, adding, "We will develop the Dhigipara coal field using underground mining method with more concentration on environment as well as welfare of local people."
The consortium conducted feasibility study within 24 square kilometres to assess the economic viability of the coal field between June 01, 2017, and September 30, 2019.
Barapukria Coal Mining Company implemented the project 'Feasibility Study for Development of Dighipara Coal Field' with its own funding.
The study said the highest calorific value of coal is 7,067 kilocalorie/kg or 12,271 btu/pound and the average calorific value is 6,645 kolocalorie/kg or 11,961 btu/pound. Content of Sulphur in the coal is 0.85 per cent.