Md Hasanur Rahman Tanzir :: Energy experts see mineral resources as a promising sector in Bangladesh. To harness this potential, technologically skilled engineers are essential, alongside institutional knowledge and continuous research efforts. Research and advanced technologies are also critical for exploring and extracting these resources. Swift action in these areas can unlock vast mineral resources hidden beneath the soil, hills, and water, including oil, gas, methane, coal, and other minerals, benefiting the country and its people.
Currently, significant amounts of gas have been discovered and are being extracted from areas such as Bhola (a coastal district), the hilly regions of Sylhet, Subarnachar in Noakhali, and Brahmanbaria, which comprise rivers, hills, and plains.
Energy and mineral experts suggest that conducting further exploration in the Bay of Bengal and other water bodies could yield a substantial amount of minerals in the near future. If the exploration and extraction of mineral resources are enhanced, they could become a major source of foreign currency for the country. Additionally, these resources can help resolve the ongoing energy crisis and ensure energy security.
Statistics indicate that 16 districts in Bangladesh contain 10 types of mineral resources, including coal, peat, hard rock, ordinary stone or sand mixed with stone, silica sand, limestone, metallic minerals, and iron ore.
The Bangladesh Geological Survey Department (GSB), the country’s sole institution for natural resource exploration and research, estimates that the natural resources in Bangladesh have a potential value of over $3.26 trillion, equivalent to approximately BDT 341.97 trillion. According to the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD), notable mineral resources in the country include coal, hard rock, ordinary stone, silica sand, and white clay.
Mineral sand is found in the coastal areas, such as Cox’s Bazar, Moheshkhali, Kutubdia, Hatia in Meghna, and the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers. These river systems hold valuable mineral sands. However, the initiatives to extract these resources remain insufficient, with some white clay and silica sand being locally extracted.
The financial valuation of discovered minerals is based on estimates from existing reserves. Further feasibility studies would not only increase the estimated quantity of these resources but also provide accurate information about their type, size, and market value.
The Geological Survey of Bangladesh has so far discovered nine types of mineral resources. Among these, coal deposits total 7,803 million tons. Only the Barapukuria coal mine is currently operational, producing coal used for generating 525 megawatts of electricity. Feasibility studies for the Dighipara and Khalashpir coal fields have been completed. Although the Jamalganj coal field lies at a depth that makes extraction challenging, alternative methods, such as using underground coal gasification (UCG) or extracting coal bed methane, might be viable in the future.
The country also has an estimated 700 million tons of peat coal, 3,527 million tons of limestone, and 20.1 million tons of hard rock. Financial valuations of these resources include $90,810 million for limestone, $542 million for hard rock, and $2,990 million for white clay. There are 511.7 million tons of silica sand valued at $6,140 million, and 220 million tons of gravel valued at $3,300 million. The country also has 62.5 million tons of iron ore worth $6,880 million.
Mineral-rich districts in Bangladesh include Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Joypurhat, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla, Bandarban, and Khagrachari.
In the Barapukuria coal field in Dinajpur, discovered in 1985, there are 390 million tons of coal. The Dighipara coal mine in Dinajpur, discovered in 1995, contains 706 million tons of coal. The Khalashpir coal field in Rangpur has 685 million tons of coal, discovered in 1989. The Phulbari coal field in Dinajpur was discovered by BHP Minerals in 1997 and has 572 million tons of coal. The Jamalganj coal field in Joypurhat, discovered in 1959, has an estimated reserve of 5,450 million tons.
Other mineral deposits include hard rock in Dinajpur’sParbatipur, and stone or sand mixed with stone in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, and Bandarban, covering a total area of 1,966 hectares.
Silica sand is found in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj, covering 332 hectares. The most significant limestone deposits are located in Naogaon district, with over 25,000 million tons in areas such as Tajpur, Badalgachhi, and Bhagwanpur. Other limestone reserves include 270 million tons in Joypurhat, 5.9 million tons in Panchbibi, 1.7 million tons in Baghalibazar (Sunamganj), 1.29 million tons in Takerghat, and 1.29 million tons in Lalghat.
The potential of mineral resources in the Chittagong Hill Tracts remains largely unexplored. More studies are needed to determine the types and quantities of minerals present in this region.
Despite accidents during coal extraction in other countries, Bangladesh has managed to avoid such incidents, which suggests that coal extraction could be increased. General sand also contributes significantly to revenue, generating billions of takas annually.
The government and policymakers need to prioritize this sector and implement initiatives to explore and utilize the country’s mineral resources effectively. This would not only resolve the energy crisis but also pave the way for economic development and employment opportunities.
The vast mineral wealth hidden beneath Bangladesh’s soil and waters represents a golden opportunity to address the nation’s energy crisis, drive economic development, and reduce poverty. However, time is of the essence. With focused leadership, strategic investments, and collaborative efforts, this untapped potential can be transformed into tangible prosperity for millions of Bangladeshis.The future is promising, but it demands vision, determination, and action. Let’s unlock this treasure and build a stronger, more self-reliant Bangladesh.
