September 07, 2008

Bangladeshi experts oppose open pit coal mining

It is reported that Bangladeshi energy experts feel that open pit mining for extracting coal in a highly populated country like Bangladesh will seriously affect environment and the people.

During a recent seminar on draft coal policy and the national interest of Bangladesh, organized by progressive engineers and architects' forum at Dhaka reporters' unity auditorium, they highlighted different aspects of the draft coal policy and said there is no scope for trying the open pit mining method in Bangladesh.

Mr Sheikh Manzura Haque presented the keynote paper while Dr Nurul Islam, Dr Mohammad Firoze Ahmed, Dr Anu Muhammad and journalist Nurul Kabir took part at the discussion.

They said open pit mining would cause landslides, as the method will fail to support the 100 to 200 meter sand layer, which contains water, over the coal layer.

The speakers also said foreign investments could not bring in any positive changes for the country. Export of coking coal generated coke, which can make huge contribution to the development of steel industry in the country, will destroy the potentials of the industry here.