Bangladesh to finalise policy on coal

The government of Bangladesh will form a National Committee to expedite the process of using country’s coal commercially. It aims to reach consensus on coal extraction method.

“The committee will be formed to incorporate different stakeholders’ views on coal policy as the energy ministry got poor response on it,” a senior official of the energy ministry said.

Aimed at reaching a decision on the method of coal extraction from Barapukuria and Phulbari coal fields the government asked for opinion of all quarters on October 24, 2010.

According to the energy ministry, the government wants to start work on coal mining as early as possible after finalising the draft coal policy and that is why the draft policy has been kept on the website for public opinions.

The energy ministry has drafted the coal policy recommending formation of “Khoni-Bangla”, a management body to oversee the country’s mineral resources including coal, hardrock, lime stone, silica sand and others.

The government wants to extract maximum quantity of coal to meet the country’s energy demand for supporting power plants and other industries in proper manner.