Decision on coal policy this month likely

Shamim Jahangir

The Government is likely to take a major decision on ‘Coal Policy’ this month to ward off controversy on open pit and underground cave method of coal mining, sources in the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said.
Besides, the Energy Ministry will also arrive at a decision on ‘Third Round Offshore Bidding on Oil and Gas Search’ this month for offshore gas exploration, sources added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the Energy Ministry officials recently to take immediate steps about the ‘Coal Policy’ and Third Round Bidding on oil and gas search in offshore after series of sitting, informed sources in the Ministry said.
“The Energy Ministry has already taken preparations for coal and third round bidding on oil and gas exploration in the sea following the direction of the Prime Minister,” a senior official of the Ministry told the New Nation yesterday.
“As per direction, the ministry will arrange a meeting to seek opinion of the experts for finalising the coal policy this month,” an official said.
The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Power and Energy Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Bir Bikram will present the planned coal mining city map before the experts to seek their opinion in this regard, sources said.
Prof Patwari Commission had placed proposed Coal Policy before immediate past Caretaker Government. But the present Awami League government is yet to finalise the policy following the controversy over open pit and underground cave method of coal mining.
Bangladesh has now only one active Production Sharing Contract (PSC) on block 16 for oil and gas exploration in offshore. There were five blocks till February this year. Four oil companies have abandoned Bangladesh’s offshore blocks for poor gas reserves.
The government has not taken any decision to award nine offshore blocks to two international oil and gas exploration companies despite offshore bidding over a year ago, sources added.
The US oil and gas giant ConocoPhilips was selected for eight offshore blocks and Irish Tullow for one block under the country’s last offshore bidding round in February 2008.
Both the companies sought to know the government position about awarding of the gas blocks. US Ambassador to Dhaka James F Moriarty recently met with the state minister for power and energy Shamsul Haque Tuku in this regard.
Bangladesh has not signed any PSC for offshore hydrocarbon exploration over the past decade whereas its neighbours India and Myanmar awarded offshore blocks in the Bay of Bengal and discovered large natural gas reserves.
Gas production of the country is between 1870 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) and 1900mmcfd at the present against the demand of over 1920mmcfd.
The country’s proven gas reserve is now 7.36 trillion cubic feet which would burnt out by 2011 at the present level of consumption, a recent report of Energy Ministry said.
The country’s lone offshore block (Sangu) out of 23 blocks is now contributing 3.0 per cent or 55 mmcfd of the total gas production while the rest of 97 per cent is being produced from the onshore blocks, sources said.

Source: The New Nation , Bangladesh

Link : http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/06/04/news0103.htm
Date: 04 June 2009

US companies to invest in coal sector

R Akter

US companies are keen to invest in Bangladesh’s coal sector, another promising energy turf after natural gas where foreign firms, including US-based oil majors, are doing brisk business. State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Haque Tuku informed about the proposals following US Ambassador James F Moriarty’s meeting with him at his Energy Ministry Wednesday.
He said the US envoy apprised him that American energy companies are interested to help Bangladesh in developing energy sector. They particularly want to invest in coal mining after finalization of the coal policy by the government. Following the meeting, the envoy said that he discussed many issues regarding the development of energy sector in Bangladesh and also the assistance for the victims of very recent cyclonic storm AILA that hit the country’s southwest coastal belt.
He noted that the United States would provide necessary assistance for the victims if Bangladesh side sought any help. A number of US companies, including oil-major Chevron, have been operating in the country’s energy and power sector. But this is first time it was learned that US energy companies are also interested in the coal mines.
Bangladesh has about five coal mines in the country’s northern region, having a total coal deposit of 2.5 billion tons. A draft coal policy is now being reviewed by the government. But it has been a great debate-and some spot disturbances too-whether Bangladesh should pursue open-pit coal mining or underground mining to extract the coal for meeting its requirements in power generation.
However, it’s not clear what kind of method the US companies want to apply in coal mining in Bangladesh. A British company, Asia Energy, faced fiery protests from locals for planning open-pit mining. Tuku said a wide area of energy sector’s development was discussed with the US diplomat, which covers the 3rd-round international bidding for hydrocarbon exploration in the offshore and deep-sea areas.
“We’ve sought cooperation in renewable energy sector’s development, like hydropower, solar and wind. They can help us through providing renewable energy technology,” Tuku told. Replying to a question, the power and energy state minister said that the US envoy discussed latest position on the 3rd-round international hydrocarbon bidding which remained pending with government’s top policymaking body.
One US-based company, Conoco Philip, responded for 8 deep-sea blocks in the bidding. We informed him that the issue now in a decision-making process. Soon we’ll take the decision. He also said the Petrobangla-Chevron dispute over a pipeline wheeling charge also came up for discussion.
Replying to another question, he said the government is discussing the issue of readjustment of petroleum-fuel prices. Anytime, a decision may come on this issue although the government is yet to decide whether it will be upward or downward adjustment.

Source: Weekli Economic Times, Bangladesh

Link : http://www.weeklyeconomictimes.com/home-news-details.php?recordID=3912
Date: 01 June 2009

Extract coal from Phulbari without wasting time

R Akter

The government must not waste anymore time on the coal extraction issue. It should ask the foreign company concerned to start extracting coal from Phulbari and, in the meanwhile, start making arrangements for setting up coal-based power plants. Many private entrepreneurs will be interested in setting up the same, experts said.
The country at the moment has only one coal-fired power plant at Barapukuria. The plant has been set up by a company from the People’s Republic of China, the world’s largest producer of coal-based power. Meanwhile, energy adviser, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said that prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has directed to finalize the coal policy, as the country needs alternative energy sources to produce electricity. The energy ministry will soon hold an open discussion on the draft coal policy with different stakeholders for finalizing the policy on a priority basis.
When asked why another meeting was needed with stakeholders when controversy was raging over the coal policy for the last three years, Tawfiq said, ‘Every government has its own policy and philosophy. Of course, we will consider the investment issues, local people’s concern and electricity generation while finalizing the coal policy.
The previous BNP-led government that first prepared a draft of the coal policy and then the caretaker government held half a dozen open meetings with stakeholders but could not finalize the draft because of controversy surrounding the mining method and fixation of royalty. The only feasible option left before the country is the setting up of coal-based power plants.
Bangladesh has substantial deposit of quality coal. It is now extracting coal from one coalmine at Barapukuria through the traditional method. The extraction of coal from a large coalmine at Phulbari has remained stalled due to controversy over the method of coal extraction. In the absence of an official coal policy, experts as well as politicians are now engaged in a heated debate over the methods of coal extraction-open-pit or traditional tunnel systems. The open-pit extraction ensures nearly full exploitation of the coal reserve but not without a cost. It displaces population settlements, destroys arable land and causes other environmental degradation.
It seems that for fear of political fallouts, the government has been dragging its feet on the issue of coal extraction from the Phulbari coalmine. Accoring to expetts, the time is running out fast. The government has to make a firm decision on the Phulbari coal and start extracting the same as early as possible. This is all the more necessary not to earn foreign currency by exporting coal but to start using the same for generating power.
Meanwhile, speakers at a roundtable at CIRDAP auditorium recently suggested the government to finalize the coal policy immediately through political consensus for setting up of coal-based power plants to address the power crisis. “The government should go for coal-fired power plant even if based on imported coal,” they said.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power and Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Maj Gen (retd) Shubid Ali Bhuiyan said that the government should go for coal-based power plant through a political understanding for finalizing coal policy. “If necessary the government should import coal for this purpose,” he added.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Shamsul Haque Tuku called upon the Oil, Gas and Bandar Protection Committee to refrain from their movement in the interest of the country. The sate minister urged the committee not to obstruct the government’s activities with the support of outsiders.
Former State Minister for Power and Energy Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku said that the present electricity crisis was created 20 years ago when the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) withdrew their financial support in the name of promotion of the power sector through the private entrepreneurs. “The government must come out from the World Bank prescriptions to ensure sustainable development in the power sector,” he said.
He also observed that the lengthy bureaucratic process was the main hindrance to improve the power sector. Former State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain said the earlier the alliance government had made a move to go for offshore gas block bidding. “We could not get success because of non-cooperation of India and Myanmar at that time,” he claimed.
“We may have many options for power generation, but coal should be the best option in the present perspective as we are not in a position to go for offshore exploration of gas immediately,” Dr Ijaz Hossain of BUET told at his keynote paper. He said that the country with its 2.0 billion tons of coal reserve can generate 10,000 MW electricity for next 50 years. The Energy and Power magazine organised the roundtable, which was moderated by its editor Mollah Amzad.

Source: Weekly Economic Times, Bangladesh

Link : http://weeklyeconomictimes.com/news-details.php?recordID=3858
Date: 24 May 2009

House panel for immediate coal extraction from Phulbari

ET Report

A parliamentary watchdog, Estimate Committee, has suggested immediate extraction of coal from the five mines including the much-talked about Phulbari coal field. But the committee, which makes estimates on public affairs, made no recommendations on the mining methods-open-pit or underground.
“The committee has recommended that coal from our five mines should immediately be extracted for producing energy,” H N Ashequr Rahman, the chairman, said following latest meeting at parliament building. He said the committee suggested the energy ministry find ways to extract coals at “minimum cost”, but made no mention of the environmental aspects of coal extraction.
The chairman said energy-hungry Bangladesh needed coal immediately for power generation, a precondition for development. “We have asked the ministry to submit a report on which method would be viable to extract coal from the fields,” said the chairman. Bangladesh has five coal mines-Barapukuria, Phulbari, Khalashpir, Dighipara and Jamalganj.
The government is in dilemma over coal extraction from Phulbari filed in Dinajpur. The Phulbari people resisted a move of the UK-based Asia Energy to collect coal through open-pit mining on the grounds that it would make them homeless and destroy environment. In Aug 2006, three people were killed as law enforcers fired on the protesters who demanded the government scrap its deal with Asia Energy.
In the face of strong protest, the government announced closure of Asia Energy’s activities in Phulbari. Some groups supported mainly by the left parties have been waging movements to stop extraction of coal by open-cut method by foreign companies.

Source: Weekly Economic Times, Bangladesh

Link : http://weeklyeconomictimes.com/news-details.php?recordID=3876
Date: 24 May 2009

Major decisions on coal likely within this year

Sharier Khan

Govt working on approval of coal policy, open-pit mining at Barapukuria, resettlement of affected people.

Within this year, the government will take several major and thorny decisions on developing the coal sector, including approval of the coal policy, an open-pit mine in Barapukuria, resettlement of people affected by the existing mine and development of a mine city.
The government is already working on the mine city in Barapukuria by identifying areas to be acquired. This mine city will initially aim at providing livelihood and living facilities to 10,000 families and ultimately give room to one lakh families, says Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, adviser to the prime minister on energy.
Towfiq-e-Elahi pointed out that the government has signed a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) with villagers who are affected by land subsidence around the Barapukuria coalmine area. “Their resettlement will be implemented in phases,” he noted.
“Our bigger concern is to ensure these affected people their livelihood. We aim at giving jobs to the second generation of these affected people,” he added.
A government committee has already recommended quick framing of a human resettlement action plan for the villagers affected by the Barapukuria coalmine in line with the one for the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge project. Such a plan should be chalked out within a few months.
Till this plan of “international standard” is approved for action, the people should be immediately given a standard compensation package and alternative shelter, said a source quoting the committee’s report submitted to the energy ministry late last month.
Deep grievances are brewing among several villages around the mine for the last two years. The mining project was implemented without recognising that the mine would cause land subsidence leading to loss of agricultural land, water supply and cause environmental damage.
For now, the government is addressing the water issue in the area by installing 600 deep tube wells (Tara Tubewells). The subsoil water level in around 15 villages in Barapukuria rapidly dropped as the mine is pumping out huge quantity of water for coal production. Towfiq said the work order for these pumps would be issued this month.
Identifying coal as one of the vital natural resources that needs to be developed for future energy security of the country, Towfiq said in the past the government had undertaken mining project without informing the people its consequences on the environment and agricultural land. The government had not even kept any allocation to address the environmental issues.
“But in future all such projects should be done in a transparent manner by informing and involving the people,” he said. The draft coal policy that the government did not approve in the last four years will soon see the light of day. “We are working on it. We hope to approve it within a few months. The main focus would be to ensure the best usage of coal,” Towfiq said.
He noted the future of power would be dependent on coal as well as nuclear technology. “Seventy-five percent of power in France comes from nuclear power stations and one third of power in the USA also comes from nuclear power stations,” he quipped.
Meanwhile, the eight-member committee headed by a joint secretary of the energy ministry recommended that a mining city be developed as per the Resettlement Action Plan. This city would provide amenities, shelter and livelihood as an alternative to the affected people.
As part of this action plan, the government should appoint a third party organisation–possibly a non-government organisation–to conduct a baseline survey in the affected area to assess the size of the population, their assets, cropland and livestock, schools and other educational institutions etc. If there is a slum in the area, it should also be assessed.
Till the plan is implemented, the villagers living in vulnerable structures should be relocated to the East Camp of the Barapukuria mine. The East Camp is a structure built during the project construction period, said the committee that was formed in January to look into the land subsidence of Barapukuria.
All future mine projects should be implemented after conducting a feasibility study, undertaking a resettlement plan and by acquiring the land necessary for the projects, it said.
The committee pointed out that land outside the mine area, which has subsided and will subside in future, should be acquired by paying premium to the owners. The base line survey should identify the lands that could be acquired by paying the premium.
It recommended jobs for the locals as per their merit in the Barapukuria coalmine. A social awareness committee should be formed with these people to disseminate information about the long-term impact of the mine.
The 2,500-acre underground mine area includes 650 acres of agricultural land on the surface. The mine is directly affecting the lives of about 2,500 people in seven to eight villages. “Rehabilitation of these people should not be very costly for the government,” said a source.
Other members of the committee include director general of the Hydrocarbon Cell of the ministry, Dhaka University geology department Professor Badrul Imam, chiefs of the Bureau of Mineral Development, Barapukuria Coal Mine Company, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company and Geological Survey of Bangladesh.

Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Link: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=89132
Date: 21 May 2009

Govt’s 3-yr power target may not be achieved-Muhith tells editors

Staff Correspondent

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said it is unlikely that Awami League would be able to fulfill its election pledge to raise electricty generation by 1,000 megawatts (MW) in the country by the next three years.
“The target of raising the generation of power in three years may or may not be achieved,” Muhith said in response to questions raised by the editors of leading dailies and news agencies about the nagging power crisis at a pre-budget meeting at finance ministry. He expressed doubt that power generation could be increased to 5,000 MW within the next three years as promised by Awami League before the election.
AL, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the power generation from the present 4000 MW to 7,000 MW during the government’s five-year tenure. Muhith said power is very important for all development activities. He said Siddhirganj Power Plant would be commissioned soon and a substantial supply of power would be available from it.
Regarding Phulbari coal mine, he said a decision in this regard would taken soon after consultations with the people of the area to improve its energy situation. Muhith also praised some good initiatives taken by the caretaker government to increase power generation. Some electricity has been added to the national grid from rental power plants.
The finance minister also said, “The next budget would be big as we will have to give incentives to different sectors to tackle the world economic recession.” Budgetary allocation in social safety nets, power and the agriculture sector would increase, he said. During the discussion on the budget, editors urged the finance minister to lay emphasis on the power sector and employment generation sectors. Stressing on proper implementation of the budget, the editors said care is taken in collecting revenue but not on it’s spending.
Editor of the Financial Express Moazzem Hossain, The Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Channel i Managing editor Faridur Reza Sagar, bdnews24.com editor Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Sangbad editor Altamash Kabir and Manabjamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury took part in the discussion.
Prime Minister’s finance and planning advisor Dr Mashiur Rahman, Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, Jugantor editor Salma Islam, The Bangladesh Today editor Mahmudur Rahman Chowdhury, Finance Secretary Mohammad Tareque, NBR chairman Nasiruddin Ahmed and Economic Relations Division Secretary Mosharraf Hossain were also present.

Source: The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Link : http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=83561
Date: 10 April 2009

Coal policy must to ease energy crisis

Staff Reporter

State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Hoq Tuku yesterday said that there is no other alternative but to approve the coal policy for electricity production. “We are working to present a concrete coal policy to nation for extracting coal uninterruptedly,” he said in a press conference, organised by Forum for Energy Reporters of Bangladesh (FERB) at the National Press Club. The FERB Chairman Mollah Amzad addressed the press conference, among others.
“If we are able to extract coal from Barapukuria, then we will extract coal from five other coal fields,” Tuku said, adding, ” The Government will use the coal for producing additional electricity.” He expressed his frustration on controversy over coal extraction and said that the coal and gas protection committee don’t want to extract coal. For additional electricity production, it is also urgent by needed to explore gas, the Minister said.
About offshore bidding, the State Minister said, “We are trying to come into a solution with the neighbouring country for offshore bidding.” The Government is also trying to strengthen BAPEX for gas exploration, he further said. He informed that the power ministry works for adding 714mw electricity in the national grid as a part of short-term strategy of the government within July next. But he cannot explain how it will be possible.
About installation of mega power plant, the Minister said that the government was negotiating with the Russia and some other countries to set up 1000mw nuclear power plant. “The process to set up 450mw Sirajgonj power plant will also continue,” he again said.

Source: The New Nation, Bangladesh
Link: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/04/02/news0663.htm
Date: 02 April 2009

Draft coal policy for Mine BanglaProposal goes to cabinet today

Sharier Khan

The eighth draft coal policy that emphasises immediate government-led action in coal sector to meet the country's surging energy demand is likely to be placed before the caretaker government's cabinet today.The draft proposes to set up a "mine Bangla" in line with Petrobangla by 2010 to spearhead different mining schemes. This government body will take strategic partners from private sector through open tenders for quick development of the schemes.Other proposals include compulsory release of 20 percent shares of a mining venture to the local market as per the laws of the Securities Exchange Commission. When selling back, shareowners will be only able to sell those to the government at market price."Because of excessive revisions and inputs from a wide number of people, the draft policy now sounds more like a law than a policy," says a source. "And this was exactly the observation of the law ministry about the policy when the energy ministry sent the draft to the law ministry a few months back."The draft policy tries to touch almost all aspects of coal development. "That is why the law ministry observed that instead of such a policy, the government should work on several laws instead of just one," the source adds.The coal policy was first drafted in December 2005. The seventh draft was prepared by a committee to review the draft policy. Headed by former VC of Buet Prof Abdul Matin Patwari, the 10-member committee submitted its report to the energy ministry in December last year.The ministry itself has also modified some of the contents. Only recently, the ministry has forwarded the draft to the Cabinet Division for approval by the cabinet.Under this policy, private companies will not have sole ownership over any coal mining deal and must come as partners with a national coalmining company.The draft restricts export of coal to be used as fuel, allowing exports of higher grade coking coal. It lays out a detailed plan on how the government should handle rehabilitation and resettlement of communities that will be displaced by a mining project. The Patwari committee had suggested that the land acquired by a project be returned to the original owner upon completion of the project.The land and the law ministries however deleted this part as it conflicts with the laws of the land. "Once the government acquires a piece of land, it can't be returned to the original owner. The government can however restore the land and allow its agricultural use," says a source.The policy does not restrict open pit mining, as was initially demanded by some pressure groups. Instead, it identifies mining method as a technical issue, which should be decided on the basis of individual cases and technical viability.The policy prioritises private partnership that puts highest emphasis on coal-fired power projects.A 29-member committee led by the energy ministry will review coal sector master plan, royalty, the sector's development issues from time to time and give decisions.By 2010, the government must frame a coal sector master plan, identify coal zones, review coal industry infrastructures and initiate restructuring measures. It will also restructure the Bureau of Minerals Development and Geological Survey of Bangladesh and chalk measures to protect the environment and develop the legal frameworks for it.The government will also have to chalk out a security measure for mines and a plan to reclaim land.The draft recommends that the government decide on implementing an open pit mine as a "test case" in the northern part of the Barapukuria underground mine. If such a venture is "commercially successful", the government will review all technical aspects and take follow-up measures"There has been no study by any group about such an open pit mine in Barapukuria. How can this committee suggest this? Besides, who would invest for a test case if there is no guarantee of any profit?" asks another source. "Again, technically you also need bigger land for an open pit mine. The Barapukuria mine area has a power plant and other structures. Then is this a feasible idea or just an undue idea?" the source quips.The draft policy says till 2025 if Bangladesh's GDP remains as low as 5.5 percent, the country will need to add 19,000 megawatt additional power. On the other hand, if the GDP is as high as 8 percent, additional 41,000 MW power will be needed. But at the same time, Petrobangla says production of gas, which has been the key source for power generation, will start to decline from 2011. This is where the country's coal should play a role.It adds that to meet its power demands in a GDP growth rate scenario of 5.5 percent, Bangladesh will need 136 million tonnes of coal till 2025. If the GDP rate is 8 percent, then Bangladesh will need 450 million tonnes coal.The draft says the country's existing four discovered coal fields of Barapukuria, Phulbari, Khalashpir and Dighipara can cater this need till 2030 or so.

The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Date : 13/08/08

Link: http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=50253

Draft nat’l coal policy awaits advisors’ nod

M Azizur Rahman

The energy ministry has finalised the national coal policy, which will be sent to the council of advisers soon for their final nod despite opposition from the law ministry against adoption of it, officials said. ‘We have finalised the coal policy and will place it to the council of advisers for approval very soon,’ Chief Adviser’s special assistant on energy issues Professor M Tamim has told the FE.
Refuting the law ministry’s plea to draft an act instead of a policy to facilitate the process of coal extraction, Professor Tamim said a policy is a broader jurisdiction and deals with a variety of issues like environment, land, mines and minerals. Professor Tamim, however, said the law ministry’s comments on the national coal policy would also be sent to the council of advisers along with the policy for their final nod.
Sources said the law ministry last week recommended adoption of an act instead of a policy pouring cold water on the energy ministry’s years of efforts to get a national coal policy in place. The energy ministry kept investment proposals worth several billion US dollars on hold in last several years on the plea that the proposals would be considered after adoption of the country’s first ever-national coal policy.
Regarding the draft of the national coal policy as finalised by the energy ministry, Professor M Tamim said the policy has no major deviations from the recommendations of the advisory committee headed by former BUET vice chancellor Abdul Matin Patwary. The advisory committee in its report recommended that foreign companies be allowed to develop the country’s coalmines under a joint venture with a local coalmining company.
No foreign companies would be permitted to develop a coalmine independently, the draft of the national coal policy pointed out categorically. As is elsewhere in the world, coalmines in Bangladesh can be developed by applying either the open-pit method or the underground method, the advisory committee suggested. But the mining method should be determined on the basis of the geological structure and the reserve potentials, the committee observed.
A Coal Sector Development Committee comprising professionals from all walks should be constituted for smooth operation of coalmines and other relevant activities. The committee would fix the royalty rate of different coalmines considering mine-specific geological structures instead of the existing mining rules, in which the royalty rate has been fixed at 6.0 per cent for the open-pit mining and 5 per cent for underground mining, it said. The committee also recommended awarding licences for coal exploration from any coalmine through open tenders, though the existing rules say that the licences will be awarded on the first-come-first-served basis.
The government will follow the country’s existing Land Acquisition Act to acquire required land and compensate the displaced people from the mining sites to ensure smooth development of coalmines and its subsequent utilisation, officials said. To address the environmental and social issues, the government might adopt globally-accepted guidelines of ‘equity principles,’ the draft of the national coal policy pointed out. Khani Bangla, an entity under the state-owned Petrobangla, would be given the responsibility to look into the developments relating to coal and other issues relevant to the country’s mines and minerals.
The advisory committee, however, had proposed formation of a separate company named ‘Coal Bangla’ empowering it to monitor the coalmine development activities. There will be no option of coal export other than ‘cocking coal’ in the coal policy. Cocking coal is a kind of coal, especially used in steel manufacturing plants. Setting up a coal-fired power plant at the mine mouth might be made mandatory for developing any coalmine under the national coal policy.

The Financial Express,Bangladesh

Date: 07/0708

Link:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=38966