Open pit mining can solve power crisis, check desertification-Says Khandker Mosharraf

Staff Correspondent

Labour and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain yesterday said open pit mining in the North Bengal’s coal mines would help solve not only power problems, but also check desertification in that region.

“In underground mining method, you can get only 10 to 12 percent coal, but in open mining you get 70 to 80 percent,” he said, expressing annoyance over too much debates among the intellectuals over the methods of mining when the country goes power hungry for years. The minister was addressing a discussion on local industries and employments organised by Bangladesh Chamber of Industries at its office in the city. He, however, said it was his personal opinion, not of the government.

Intellectuals are concerned over environment and agriculture in the case of open pit method, but it has good aspects too, because the open space created after coal extraction can retain a lot of water that can help recharge underground water in the northern areas which run the risk of desertification now, he noted. Besides, tourists can go there, he said, adding that fish production there could also help solve nutrition problem in the country. “If we leave the coal unused and yell, saying shortage and shortage, it will not do. If we cannot generate power, no development of industry nor of agriculture is possible,” the minister said. “Our future energy is coal. It has no alternatives,” he added.

Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Link: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=83447
Date: 09 April 2009