Coal of Bangladesh

1. Coal Sector of Bangladesh
Coal is a reliable and affordable energy source
worldwide
5 Coal Fields
Total Reserves 3565 million metric
tons (MT).
The reserveof naturalgas is declining.
Exploration of coal could be a good
alternative in this context.
N.B: Considering the CBM study project
of Jamalganj, it reveals estimated 5.45 BT
in stead of 1.053 BT. Total estimated
reserve would be 7.962 BT.

2. Discovered Coal Deposits
Five coal fields have been discovered so far in
the north-west part of Bangladesh.
Sl.No. Coal Field Location Depth (m) Possible
Reserve (MT)
1 Barapukuria Parbatipur, Dinajpur 118-509 390
2 Dighipara Nawabganj, Dinajpur 328-455 865
3 Phulbari Phulbari, Dinajpur 141-270 572
4 Khalaspir Pirganj, Rangpur 222-516 685
5 Jamalganj Jamalganj, Joypurhat 640-1158 1053
Total = 3565

3. Barapukuria Coal Field
Only field producing coal in Banglered in
1985
Total Basin Area is 6.68 Sq. km.
Depth Range is 118 - 509 meter.
Total Coal reserve is 390 MT.
No. of coal seam is 6.
Targeted seam of production is Seam VI
Total reserve of seam VI is 285 million tons.
Average thickness of coal for seam-6 is 36 m.

4. Specifications of Barapukuria Coal
Coal of BCMCL is High Volatile Bituminous in rank
Composition of coal
• Avg. Gross Cal. Value : 11,040 btu/lb
• Ash : 12.40%
• Moisture : 10.00%
• Volatile matter : 29.20%
• Fixed Carbon : 48.40%
• Sulphur : 0.53%
• Imported Coal:
• Mostly : Lignite Coal
• Avg. Gross Cal. Value : 7,000 btu/lb
• Sulphur : More than 2%

5. Coal extraction method:BCMCL
 Underground Mining:
Multi slice long wall
 BCMCL has introduced
'Longwall Top Coal
Caving' (LTCC) method
on 08 May 2013
 Coal production is
increased to double
after introducing LTCC
method.

6. Coal Production: BCMCL
 Commercial production
from 1st Slice started in
September 2005.
 Target of production is 1 MT
per year (4000-5000 tons
per day)
 Now production is running
in L/W Face 1205, from
07/01/2016 till now.
Serial No. Fiscal Year Production (Metric Ton)
1 2017-2018 9,23,276.08
2 2016-2017 1,168,170
3 2015-2016 1,021,638
4 2014-2015 677,775
5 2013-2014 947,124
6 2012-2013 854,804
7 2011-2012 835,000
8 2010-2011 666,635
9 2009-2010 704,658
10 2008-2009 827,845
11 2007-2008 677,098
12 2006-2007 388,376
13 2005-2006 303,016
14 During Costruction 178,181
Total = 10,16,3994.89
Production Statistics of BCMCL

7. Use of Barapukuria Coal
 65% of coal produced from BCMCL is used in 250 MW Coal fired
power plant of BPDB at Barapukuria, Dinajpur.
 Remaining of the coal is used in brick fields, boiler industry,
steel re-rolling mills etc.
 Another 275 MW unit Coal fired power plant of BPDB at
Barapukuria will start its production soon.
 Then almost all the coal from BCMCL need to supply to BPDB
for power generation.

8. Demand of Coal
 In many countriesof the world,over 50% of electricityis generatedby coal
whetherin Bangladeshthis percentageis only 2.44%
According to Power System Master Plan, the demand of power and coal is as below
 Generation capacity by 2021 : 24,000 MW
 Generation capacity by 2030 : 40,000 MW
 Planned power generation from coal : 50%
 Coal based generation by 2030 : 20,000 MW
 Requirement of coal for 20,000 MW : 50 MT/year
So, developmentof discoveredcoal fields is a must in this situation.

9. New Coal Development Projects
 To meet the increasing energy demand of the country,
Govt. instructed BCMCL to increase coal production to
20,000 ton/day. BCMCL plans to implement the
following projects:
A. Barapukuria UG Mine Expansion
B. Development of Dighipara Coal Field
C. Barapukuria Open Pit Mining

10. A. Expansion of Existing Mine (Ongoing)
 To increase its present production a project named ′Feasibility
Study for extension of existing underground mining operation of
Barapukuria Coal Mine towards the Southern and the Northern
side of the basin without interruption of the present production′
has been undertaken.
 A consulting firm named Joint Venture Company of John T.Boyd,
USA and Mazumder Enterprise, Bangladesh has been engaged
in this project
 The duration of this project is 18 months (From 01-04-2016 to
31-03-2018).

11. B. Development of Dighipara Coal Field (Ongoing)
• Discovered in : 1995 by GSB.
• Coal Basin Area : 24 sq.km
• Depth Range : 328~455 m
• Geological Reserve : 865 MT
 A project named “Seismic Survey for Feasibility Study of Coal Deposit at
Dighipara, Dinajpur” has been conducted by Petrobangla. This study proves the
prospect of this coal field.
 For further details study a project named ′Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of
Coal Deposit at Dighipara Dinajpur′ has been undertaken to develop an
underground coal mine at Dighipara with a target production of 3 million
Tons/year.
 An international consulting firm named 'MIBRAG International' has been
engaged in this project through international tendering process.
 The project duration is 3 years (01-10-2016 to 31-03-2019).

12. Feasibility Study Project: Dighipara
– Main components of the Feasibility Study:
• Study of the available data.
• Topographical survey of 50 Km2 (Mining area: 24 Km2)
• 3-D seismic survey, specified area.
• Drilling of 100 boreholes.
• EIA, EMP, Socio economic impact assessment.
• Study of geological & hydro-geological condition.
• Determination of reserve, mining method, production
capacity and life of the mine.
• Economic analysis.
• Mine Design and preparation of Bid document for
appointment of development Contractor.
• Resettlement Action Plan.

13. C. Barapukuria Open Pit Mine
 Considering shallow depth (118-300m) of Barapukuria
northern part, open cast mining may be suitable.
 BCMCL plans to conduct another feasibility study
regarding open cast mining in the 1.31 sq. km virgin area
of the northern part.
 IWM conducted the Hydro-geological study and Ground
Water Modeling.
 According to the IWM report water could be managed if
open cast mine is implemented.
 Complete Feasibility Study is required for open cast
mine.

14. Jamalgonj Coal Field
 Jamalganj coal field is the largest and deepest cola field in Bangladesh.
• Discovered by GSB : 1962.
• Basin Area : 11.66 sq. km
• Depth Range : 640~1158m
• No of coal Seam : 7 nos.
• Total thickness of seam : 64 m
• Geological Reserve : 1053 MT.
 Petrobangla recently conducted feasibility study for CBM in Jamalganj.
 CBM production is not possible due to extreme gas under-saturation.
 But the consulting firm Mining Associates Pvt. Ltd. (MAPL) has recommended
detail coal exploration to develop underground mine in Jamalganj coalfield
especially in the north-western 15 sq. km area where the upper coal seams
occur 600-800m depth.

15. Khalashpir Coal Field
• Discovered by GSB : 1989.
• Coal Basin Area : 12.25 sq. km
• Depth Range : 222~516 m
• No of coal Seam : 8
• Total thickness of seam : 40 m
• Geological Reserve : 685 MT
 Hosaf International Ltd, Shandong-Ludi and Xinwen Mining Group
Consortium conducted a Feasibility study and later Hydrocarbon Unit (HCU)
has commissioned IMC Group Consulting Ltd (“IMC”) to review the report on
“The Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Khalashpir Coal Mine”.
 In the review report IMC consulting Ltd. suggest additional exploration
including surface drilling and geophysical logging.
 Further more investigation is required to develop this coal field.

16. Phulbari Coal Field
• Discovered in 1994 by BHP, Australia.
• Coal Basin Area : 24 sq. km
• Depth Range : 141~270 m
• Bore hole drilled : 108
• No of coal Seam : 2
• Total thickness of seam : 48 m
• Geological Reserve : 572 MT
• Rank : High volatile Bituminous Coal
 Asia Energy Corporation (AEC) completed detailed Techno-Economic Feasibility
Study and proposed open cut mining by submitting a report to Government of
Bangladesh (GOB).
 But due to strong opposition and violation of local people against open pit
mining at Phulbari, the government has suspended the activity.

17. Development: Must ?
 The demand of Power as well as coal is increasing rapidly.
 In this situation development of the so far discovered coal fields is
inevitable .
 Several project has already been undertaken to develop the coal
fields.
 Any kind of assistance (Technical/Technological/ Commercial) is
highly appriciated in this regard.

18. Thank You…
For your Attention.