Asia Energy - Coal and Power for Bangladesh

The world annual coal production is over 4,030 million tonnes, which may reach 7 billion tonnes in 2030, most of which is used in the producer countries (the top five being, China, the USA, India, Australia and South Africa). Only 18 percent of hard coal production is destined for international market. China's coal reserve is about one trillion tonnes, good for about 100 years' local consumption, while India's coal reserve is about 240 billion tonnes, 250 times that of Bangladesh. Our estimated coal deposit of 390 million tonnes in Barapukuria (extractable quantity being 78 million tonnes by shaft or underground method at 20%) and 572 million tonnes (288 million tonnes is confirmed, and 216 million tones is extractable by open-pit method at 75%) in Phulbari is quite insignificant in international context. It is difficult to understand why our decision makers are trying to make a mountain out of this mole hill of coal, and are so eager to give it away for just 6 percent royalty and some personal benefit, if there is any, whereas all conscious countries want to preserve their own reserve even by acquiring as much as possible from elsewhere. Despite heavy consumption and higher price, the USA also is preserving her huge energy reserve in Alaska.