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Barapukuria coal mine
The Energy Sector of Bangladesh is characterized by very low
per capita usage of energy. As a result the country is suffering from acute
energy shortages and this is adversely affecting the economy. For proper
economic development of a country the need for reliable sources of
different types of fuel is essential. At present for energy supply, the
country is mainly dependent on natural gas, traditional fuels and imported
fuels. Because of deforestation, supply of traditional fuels are decreasing
and becoming expensive day by day. The reserves of natural gas, now being
used extensively for production of electricity and fertilizer, are still
small, Significant portion of export earning is being used for import of
petroleum products and coal. For rapid economic development of the country,
it is essential to find out alternative sources of indigenous commercial
fuels. Since late seventies the Govt. of Bangladesh was endeavouring to
develop alternative sources of indigenous commercial fuel. Coal deposits of
the country are potential source for supply of alternative commercial fuel.
Jamalganj coal deposit discovered in early sixties could not be developed
due to greater depth of the deposit, high investment cost and lack of
interest of the foreign donor countries/agencies to finance the project.
The discovery of Barapukuria coal deposit in 1985 at shallow depth opened a
new horizon in the energy sector. Afterwards significant coal deposits have
been discovered at Khalaspir, Dighipara and Phulbari area in the
north-western part of the country. Govt. attached top priority for
development of Barapukuria coal deposit.
Pursuant to above, Petrobangla with assistance of ODA, UK
carried out a detailed techno-economic feasibility study of Barapukuria
coal deposit from November 1987 to April 1991. The consultant M/S.
Wardell Armstrong submitted the techno-economic feasibility study report to
Petrobangla in May, 1991. The report included among others the assessment
of the coal reserve, mine plan, mining method, production schedule, market
analysis, environmental impact, investment cost, financial and economic
analysis etc.
Based on the findings of the feasibility study, Petrobangla
prepared PP of the Barapukuria Coal Mine Development Project in 1992. Govt.
approved the Project in April 1993 at a cost of Tk. 88773.55 lakh with FE
of Tk. 48687.60 lakh. ( 1 US$ ~Tk.60.00,
1 Million = 10 Lakh)
The main objective of the project is to set up a modern
underground coal mine to produce 1 million tonnes of coal per year. Its
output (83%) was designed for a 300 MW mine mouth coal based power station
and the remaining 17% to be used for brick burning, industrial and domestic
purposes. PDB has changed capacity of the power plant to 250 MW (125 x 2
units) and has started its construction recently. Govt. has decided to
increase generation capacity of the power plant to 375 MW (125 MW x 3
units) in future to ensure 100% utilization of coal to be produced form
Barapukuria Coal Mine.
The quality of Barapukuria coal is better compared to
imported coals. This gives Barapukuria coal a substantial quality and
competitive advantage over imported coals. Barapukuria coal is also low in
ash and extremely low in sulfur content which meets international
environmental standards. Imported coal containing sulfur in excessive
amount causes serious environmental pollution resulting in health problems
and significant forestry/crop damage. The project would help to save and
conserve Bangladesh's
reserve of natural gas and prevent dependence on oil import for power
generation and fuel wood used extensively for industrial and domestic
purposes. Environmentally replacement fuel wood in brick manufacture and
domestic use by coal would help to mitigate current serious deforestation
and consequential desertification and soil erosion.
The project will contribute in creation of infrastructure
facilities and direct/indirect employment opportunities for overall
socio-economic development of the north-western part of the country.
For implementation of the Barapukuria coal mine project a
contract was signed between Petrobangla and a Chinese consortium led by M/S
China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) on 7th
February 1994. According to the contract, CMC will provide
109.235 million US dollars as suppliers credit for
implementation of the project. After completion of supplementary geological
survey and preparation of basic design of the mine by CMC and approval of
basic design by Petrobangla, physical works of the project commenced on 1st
June 1996. Till 31st March 2002 60.84....% physical works of the
project has been completed. Partial production of coal from development
roadways has already started. According to the revised contract programme
implementation of the project will be completed in October 2004. Under
construction 250 MW Barapukuria coal based thermal power plat will be
completed in January 2005. Before commissioning the power plant, coal to be
produced from Barapukuria mine will be sold in the open market which will
be used mostly for brick burning.
The Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited was established
on 8th December 1998 with an authorized capital of Tk. 350.00 crore. The
main objective of the company is to mine and make economic use of the coal
to be extracted from Barapukuria coal mine and/or such other coal mines as
may be decided by the Govt. The company will carryout geological and
geophysical investigation and drilling for development and production of
coal. The company will also carryout trading of coal. At present the
company is implementing the Barapukuria coal mine project. It has plan to
undertake development of the Khalaspir coal deposit in near future.
Company Profile
- Name of
the company : Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd.
- Registered
office : Chowhati, P.S.-Parbatipur,
- Dist. Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
- Liaison
office : 75-C, Indira road, Dhaka-1215.
- Date of
Registration : 4th August, 1998
- Date of commencement
: 8th December, 1998
Salient Features
of Barapukuria Coal Mine
- Year of
discovery : 1985.
- Feasibility
study completed : April 1991.
- Status of
PP : Approved on 21st April, 1993.
- Extent of
deposit : 6.68 Sq.Km.
- Depth of
coal : 118-509 metre.
- Nos. of
coal layer : 6.
- Average
thickness of coal seam : 36 m (6th seam).
- Reserve of
coal : 390 million tonnes
- Mine able
reserve : 64 million tonnes (1st phase)
- Composition
of coal : Ash 12.4%, Volatile matter 29.2%, Fixed carbon 48.4%,
Sulfur 0.53%, Moisture 10%.
- Rank of
coal : Bituminous (high volatile).
- Calorific
value of coal : 25.68MJ/KG(11040 BTU/lb.).
- Yearly
production : 1 million tonnes.
- Use of
coal : 65% of the production will be used in 250 Mw coal fired power
station and remaining 35% will be used in brick fields and other
domestic purposes. In future, the capacity of the power plant will be
increased to 375 MW to ensure 100% utilization of coal to be produce
from Barapukuria Coal Mine.
- Investment
cost : 251.08 million US dollar.
- Production
cost : Tk. 2086.15/tonne.
- Selling
price : Tk. 3420.00/tonne.
- Mode of
entry : Two vertical shafts.
- Depth of
shafts : Main shaft -326m & Auxiliary shaft -320m.
- Shaft
construction method : Freezing, Drilling & Blasting and RCC concrete
lining.
- Coal
extraction method : Multi-slice Longwall.
- Manpower :
2674.
- Name of
contractor : China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation
(CMC).
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