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Move on for commercial extraction of iron


Bangladeshpost
Published : 20 Jun 2019 09:05 PM | Updated : 01 Sep 2020 09:12 PM

Abdus Salam, Our Dinajpur Correspondent

The government is thinking of commercial extraction of iron ore from the country’s first ever iron ore mine discovered in Dinajpur district recently. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) is now assessing the feasibility of extracting the metal from the mine. GSB Deputy Director (excavation engineer) Masud Rana told Bangladesh Post that in order to be confirmed about whether it will be possible to extract iron ore from the mine, another 5-6 drillings need to be done. It is also important to know how much reserve of iron is there in the mine, otherwise no clear understanding about the economic viability of the extraction can be reached at, Masud Rana noted.

“Now the second phase of drilling is underway to assess the stretch of the reserves,” he said, adding that several more wells will be needed to be drilled for the work. Asked how much gold could be there in the mine, Masud said, “Iron ore constitutes the bulk portion of the metals found in the mine. Besides, chromium, nickel and copper have also been found in small percentages. But, no presence of gold has been discovered yet.”

He added that some local media have carried some incorrect information in this regard. While talking about the probable reserve of iron ore, Masud said, “The layer of iron is very thick in the area where the drilling works are being conducted at present, but more drillings need to be conducted to have a clearer understanding about the actual reserve.”

The thickness of iron that is found here might stretch over an area of around five square kilometres, and if it so, the commercial extraction of iron is very much possible. However, as this is only a survey, the BGS officials reiterated the need for conducting more drilling activities to be confirmed about the assumptions.
Being asked how long it might take to start commercial extraction, Masud Rana said it depends on government decision.

Earlier on Tuesday, the GSB, following extensive examinations after drilling a well for two months, made the groundbreaking announcement of discovering the iron ore (magnetite) mine at Isabpur village in Hakimpur upazila of the district. The iron ore mine is the first of its kind in the country, bringing new hopes for the country’s economy.

GSB Deputy Director Mohammad Masum said that a 400-foot thick iron layer was found 1,750 feet beneath the surface and it stretches over an area of 6-10 square kilometres. The percentage of iron in the mine is 65 while that in Canada, China, Brazil Sweden and Australia is below 50, he informed. Masum went on saying that apart from the presence of gold, there are copper, nickel and chromium in the layer. “Limestone was also found at a depth of 1150 feet,” he said, adding that the discovery of iron mine is the first in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the people of Dinajpur are happy over the fact that the district already had mines of world standard coal, rocks; and thermal power plant, and that now the iron mine has been added to the list.