Coal mining issues spark fresh debate

NRB expert’s comment irk colleagues; NRB panel advocates mining method on cost-benefit basis

Staff Correspondent

The local and non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) participants of the four-day brain storming session on coal policy were irked by public comments of two experts against certain aspects of mining in Bangladesh. They said that their comments at a press conference organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Environment Network Friday were aimed at discrediting the four-day session in which the two themselves had participated and contributed to the recommendations on the coal policy.

Only within a day after participating in the session, NRB coal expert and a member of the Environment Network Dr Khalequzzaman Friday at a press conference on the four-day session said that open pit mining was not ecologically friendly for Bangladesh. Another NRB environmentalist Dr Sarwat Chowdhury said coal could be exported if there is no way for it to be stored or preserved. This statement however reflects the outcome of the four-day session.

Other NRB and local experts who attended the four-day session said that Khalequzzaman misrepresented the discussions that took place at the Jamuna Resource on coal policy, land subsidence, resettlement and environment issues arising out of coal mining. “He gave an impression to the public that this four-day session was designed to legitimise open pit mining and coal export and they sat with the same group of people which is terming that session a grand conspiracy,” said a Petrobangla official who attended the Jamuna sessions.

“While the session was highly academic and focused, we had a lot of discussions with Dr Khalequzzaman and we had converged that the policy will not be bent on any particular style of mining. Instead, we recommended that the method of mining will be determined by cost-benefit ratio. In certain areas, underground mining method would be more beneficial for the nation, while in some other areas, open pit would be more beneficial,” he added.

NRB Saleque Sufi who is working on mines and minerals with Queens Monarch University said, “It was unofficially agreed among the NRBs that we would not make any isolated statement to the press.” “But contrary to the spirit of the group, Khalequzzaman Mohammad and Sarwat Chowdhury appeared at a press conference of a group which is agitating against mining in Bangladesh within less than 24 hours of the formal conclusion of the programme.” He noted that a leader of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources–that has been campaigning against any coal sector development–was present at the conference.

“As invited guests of Petrobangla and part of the group, normal courtesy demands that they should have consulted with Petrobangla chairman or at least the group co-ordinator before joining the conference,” he added. “NRBs in the brain storming session did not recommend any particular mining method but discussed in-depth all forms mining methods and associated impacts. It was agreed that mining methods would only be adopted after extensive feasibility study and on detailed cost benefit analysis. Yet within less than 24 hours of agreed position these two professionals from USA disowned the agreed position,” he pointed out.

Another participant noted, “This was not a discussion to give Asia Energy’s Phulbari project a go-ahead. But unfortunately some people are giving that impression.” “Some asked why did we meet at Jamuna resort. I ask how do you get people fully devoted to discussion and debates for four days if you don’t take them out from Dhaka?” he added.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=93499

Date: 21 June 2009, Bangladesh