A NOTE ON THE COAL RESOURCES IN BANGLADESH, THEIR PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPMENT AND USES.

By

Md. Khurshid Alam

Director General (Retired) Geological Survey of Bangladesh

Introduction

It is the democratic demand, „„Let there be light in every house in Bangladesh”. The Government of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh has an enthusiastic program and committed to provide electricity to every house by 2020. Generally country has generation of capacity about 5,000 MW, of which about 3,000 MW is produced generally, against peak demand of about 5500 MW. (Ahmed, S, 2006.) The Power System Master Plan has provided 20 year forecast which shows as demand of 4,600 MW in 2005, 6,800 MW in 2010, and about 10,000 MW in 2015.( Rahman, M., 2004). Non-renewable sources of energy are natural gas, oil and coal in Bangladesh. And renewable sources of energy are water, wind, waves, bio gas and solar energy. Presently more than 70% of the energy is produced with Natural gas. Bangladesh is exploring hydrocarbon resources but researchers opine that the country may not have sustainable supply of natural gas resources beyond 2030. Bangladesh has till now five coal fields in the country. It is to mention the proved reserves of coal deposits in Jamalganj Coal Field is 1,053 million metric tons (MMT), in Barapukuria Coal Field of 389 MMT, in Phulbari Coal Field of 572 MMT, Khalaspir Coal Field of 277 MMT and the Dighipara Coal Field by five holes drilled in an area of 3.4 square kilometres may have deposit of about 200 MMT with the expectation of having probable coal deposits of 600 MMT. The estimated coal basin area is about 15 square kilometres. In quality the Dighipara coal is nearly same and in some respect is better. The average thickness is 59 metres next to Jamalganj Coal Basin. The overburden is medium in thickness. The quality of coal in Bangladesh is such that 1(one) million tons of that can produce electricity of 300 MW. As such planners may hope that Coal resources in Bangladesh may provide sustainable energy development in the country.

Jamalganj Coal field Jamalganj coal field is located in Joypurhat and Nowgaon district. This coal field was discovered in 1962 by the Geological Survey of Pakistan in a project UN-Pak mineral survey. 10(ten) drill holes were done in Paharpur-Jamalganj area; of these 7(seven) coal seam were found from the depth 640m to 1158m in 7(seven) drill holes and the total thickness is 64 m. The coal deposit in an area of 11.8 square kilometres is about 1,053 million metric tons. It is expected that the area of Jamalganj coal field is 37.76 sq km. This coal is high bituminous non -coking and slightly coking. The calorific value of it is 11,780 BTU/lb. According to proximate analyses of coal sample; fixed carbon is 33% to 54%, ash 10% to 60%, volatile matters 30% to 42% and sulphur 0.6%. National, foreign scientist and consultancy farm suggest that it is technically viable to exploit coal from Jamalganj coal field. It has controversy to exploit coal economically due to higher depth, so the coal development had been stopped.

Some salient aspects of the JAMAGANJ COAL FIELD

Table showing the Succession in the Jamalganj Coal Basin:

Age Formation Thickness in metres (feet)

Lithology

Recent to Sub-Recent

Alluvium 25.91-82.31(85-270) ---Unconformity------- 12.19-71.64 (40-235) ---Unconformity------- 277.43-411.58 (910-1350) ---Unconformity------- 30.48 (100) 15.24-33.53 (50-110) 51.82-106.70(170-350) -----Unconformity----- 146.34 (480) 335.36 (1100) -----Unconformity----- 512.19 (1680) 493.90 (1620) -----Unconformity-----

Clay, silt, coarse, medium and fine sand, coarse, medium and fine gravel.

Pliocene Dupi Tila Coarse to fine gravel and coarse sand.

Upper Miocene to Oligocene

Jamalganj Formation (Surma Gv. Undiff.)

Silt, fine sand, clay, quick sand (1) medium gravel, shaly clay sandstone, shaly coal.

Eocene Eocene Eocene to Paleocene

Kopili Sylhet Limestone Cherra

Shaly clay and sandstone. Limestone, shaly clay. Sandstone, shaly clay, silt, shaly coal.

Cretaceous Upper Gondwana

Sibgonj

Trap wash. Basalt and andesite.

Rajmahal

Permian Lower Godwana

Paharpur Feldspathic sandstone with Coal. Kuchma

Pre-Cambrian Archean complex

Basement Complex

Granite , grano diorite. Gneiss.

Table showing the thickness of coal seams as by M/s Krupp:

Seam No. Thickness in metres Thickness in feet

I 0.71 2‟-4‟‟

II 2.41 7‟-11‟‟

III 32.16 105‟-6‟‟

IV 1.98 6‟-6‟‟

V 1.83 6‟-0‟‟

VI 3.10 10‟-2‟‟

VII 22.86 75‟-1‟‟

Table showing the proven coal reserve estimates by M/s Krupp:

Seam No. Reserve in million tons

II 39.5

III 526.8

IV 32.4

V 30.0

VI 50.8

VII 374.4

Table showing the seamwise reserve estimates made by Savornin are as follows:

No. of Seam Indicated in million tons

Inferred in million tons

Total in million tons

III 352 288 640

IV 115 134 249

V 63 77 140

VI 38 120 158

VII 148 228 376

Total 716 847 1563

Table showing the average chemical analysis of Jamalganj coal given by different agencies:

Constituent M/s Waheeduddin Ahmed and M.A Zaher

M/s Krupp M/s Robertson (1) Research International

A. Proximate 1. Ash 2.Volatile matter (Dry basis) 3. Fixed carbon (Dry basis) 4. Moisture

22.4% (Range 10%-60%) 30-40% 33-54 average 47% -

25.7% (dry ash free basis) 40.6% - -

24.5% (Dry basis) 36.92% ,, 36.72% 3.58% (air dried)

B. Ultimate (Dry-ash-free basis) C H N 0 S CL Calorific Value (clean coal) Coal with 20-25% ash content

79% 5.4% 1.81% 12.5% 0.65% 0.04%

12,100 BTU /Ib

11,000 BTU/Ib

80.25% 5.34% 1.87% 11.8% - -

11870 BTU/Ib (net) -

80.1% 5.39% 1.83% 12-02% 0.55% 0.005% 11878 BTU/lb (air dried)

-

Barapukuria Coal field

Geological and geophysical surveys were done by Geological Survey of Bangladesh in the northern part of Bangladesh to get coal at shallower depth and 11(eleven) basins of coal deposit were identified. This prospective basin is located at Barapukuria of Parbatipur in Dinajpur district. In 1985, exploratory drill hole was made in this area and Gondwana coal was discovered by Geological Survey of Bangladesh. There are 7(seven) coal seams from the depth 129.5m to 506.5m. The total thickness of coal seams is 51.21m.The proved area of this coal field is 5.25 sq km and the proved deposit has been estimated to be 389 million tons. It is expected that coal may be found beyond the proved area. This coal is partially bituminous to high volatile bituminous and heat capacity is 10,547 BTU/lb to 14,439 BTU/lb. According to chemical analyses of this coal, fixed carbon is 44.93% to 54.66%, volatile matters 28.65% to 31.66%, Ash 11.79% to 23.71% and sulphur 0.43% to 1.33%.

In 1994, Government of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh with the financial and technical assistance of Republic China had started to develop coal mine in Barapukuria and it started production in 2006.

Within the basement in the Ranggpur Platform and Bogra shelf areas, a number of small intra-cratonic basins (graben and half-graben) have been identified by the gravity survey. It is believed that these grabens were formed as a result of post-Gondwana rifting in the Gondwana land. These basins are thought to be downwarped blocks of the platform into the basement complex and are found to contain coal bearing Gondwana sediments as in different continents.

The Barapukuria basin is an asymmetrically faulted half-graben type intracratonic basin. This half-graben structure is imparted by a major N-S trending eastern boundary fault.

Table showing the stratigraphic succession in the Barapukuria basin, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh:

Age Group Formation Member Lithology Max. thickness in meters

Holocene Alluvium Silty clay 1.83 ------------------------------------------------Unconformity------------------------------------------------------- Pleistocene Barind Clay Residum Clay and sandy clay 10.36 ------------------------------------------------Unconformity------------------------------------------------------- Pliocene Dupi Tila Upper Sandstone, pebbly sandstone 126.82 and clay/mudstone ---------Local Unconformity---------------------- Lower Sandstone, claystone and mudstone with silica and white clay ------------------------------------------------Unconformity------------------------------------------------------- Permian Gondwana Feldspathic sandstone, carbona- 457.32 ceous sandstone and shale, ferr- uginous sandstone, conglomerates, and coal beds. -----------------------------------------------Unconformity-------------------------------------------------------- Precambrian Basement Diorite, granodiorite, quartzdiorite, 14.32+ complex granite, and diorite gneiss

Table showing the thickness (in parenthesis) of coal seams in different boreholes of Barapukuria basin (in metres), Dinajpur District, Bangladesh:

Bore hole Seam-I Seam-II

Seam-III

Seam-IV

Seam-V

Seam-VI

Seam- Seam-VII

Composite Thickness

GDH-38 159.15-159.60 (0.46)

162.19-171.04 (8.84)

171.65-172.26 (0.61)

188.72-189.33 (0.61)

197.87-208.23 (10.37)

331.71-371.34 (39.63)

371.95-372.26 (0.30)

60.82

GDH-39 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 170.43-203.05 (32.62)

203.66-204.27 (0.61)

33.23

GDH-40 193.90-198.47 (4.57)

252.74-267.98 (15.24)

276.52-283.16 (2.97)

306.25-309.37 (3.12)

326.37-359.14 (8.08)

450.30-491.16 (40.86)

491.69-506.55 (4.65)

79.50

GDH-41 129.57-130.03 (0.46)

132.00-140.70 (8.69)

141.62-142.53 (0.92)

158.54-158.84 (0.30)

162.50-168.90 (6.40)

285.37-321.65 (36.28)

324.85-326.52 (1.68)

54.73

GDH-42 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 190.55-216.16 (25.61)

Nil 25.61

GDH-43 Nil Nil Nil Nil 161.58-171.79 (10.21)

286.89-329.26 (42.37)

330.48-331.25 (0.76)

53.35

Average Thickness

1.83 10.92 1.50 1.34 8.77 36.22 1.60 51.21

Table showing seam-wise average results of chemical analysis of the Barapukuria coal, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh:

Seam No.

Sp.Gr. Moisture %

Volatile Matter %

Ash % Sulfur %

Fixed carbon %

Calorific value BTU/lb

1 1.39 3.46 31.66 19.20 1.33 45.50 10,547

11. 1.39 3.49 29.61 16.63 0.50 50.60 12,053

111 1.57 3.60 29.17 12.59 0.62 54.66 12,260

IV 1.38 2.99 30.75 16.34 0.52 48.67 12,301

V 1.46 2.54 28.69 23.71 0.43 44.93 10,957

VI 1.37 2.28 31.41 11.79 0.65 53.44 12,757

VII 1.43 2.72 28.65 15.25 0.77 53.38 12,529

Analysed by: Deen M. Mia, M.Rahman, Meherunnesa and Begum Sakera Table showing seamwise reserves of Barapukuria coal, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh: Seam No.

Bore hole No. Av. Thick- ness in metres

Area covered in km2 Av. Sp. Gravity

Reserves in MMT

Proved Probable Total Proved Probable Total I GDH-38,40,41 1.83 0.45 1.23 1.68 1.39 1.25 3.44 4.69

I I GDH-38,40,41 10.92 0.45 1.23 1.68 1.39 7.43 20.39 27.82 I I I GDH-38,40,41 1.50 0.45 1.23 1.68 1.57 1.14 3.16 4.30

IV GDH-38,40,41 1.34 0.45 1.23 1.68 1.38 0.96 2.41 3.37

V GDH-38,40,41 ,43

8.77 0.60 1.35 1.95 1.46 8.05 19.75 27.80

V I GDH-38,39,40, 41, 42,43

36.22 1.49 1.49 2.98 1.37 80.84 80.84 161.68

V I I GDH-38,39,40, 41, 43

1.60 0.74 1.49 2.23 1.43 1.89 3.74 5.63

Total 101.56 133.73 235.29

Khalaspir Coal field In 1989 coal was discovered at Khalaspir of Pirgonj thana of Ranpur District by Geological Survey of Bangladesh as they were continuing exploration activities for coal. 8(eight) coal seams have been found from the depth 257.16m to 482.93m in this coal field. The total average thickness is 50m. The proved area of this coal field is 2.52sq km and the proved reserve is 143 million metric tons and the probable deposit of the 12.26 sq km is 685 million metric tons. This coal is medium volatile to high volatile and heat producing capacity is 7,388 BTU/lb to 13,591 BTU/lb. According to chemical analyses of this coal, fixed carbon 32.09% to 66.55%, volatile matters 6.02% to 28.23%, ash 7.6% to 50.51% and least amount sulphur. There is 80% vitrinite matter in 3m zone of this coal seam and it is used to melt metal. Khalaspir basin is a more or less elongated basin with largest axis in the northwest-southeast direction. Three prominent gravity highs, the Pirgonj high (-22.2 milligal), the Bhenda basin high (-32.2 milligal) and Bhaduria high (-30 milligal) are found to encompass the basin in the NE, N, S-Southeast respectively. The basin is faulted bounded in the NE and NW side. The total basinal area is more than 25 sq kms and the coal basinal area is about 12.26 sq kms. Coal is found only in the upper part (Top-182.92 m). The coal sequences have been divided into 8 zones with numerous beds. Each zone contains good quality –bright (vitrain) and dull (durain) coal with fusain. Fusains tend to occur as isolated lenses and thin layers. The coal beds range thickness from a few centimetres to 14 meters. Vertical and lateral variations of the coal are present.

Table showing the Generalised stratigraphic succession of Khalaspir basin:

Age Group/ Formation Lithology Max. Thickness

(m)

Holocene Alluvium Grey sand and silty clay. 4.26

---------------------------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------

Pleistocene Barind Clay residuum Yellowish grey silty clay. 6.10

---------------------------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------

Pliocene Dupi Tila Formation Grey to yellowish grey sandstone, pebbly sandstones with uncommon mudstone.

162.12

---------------------------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------

Miocene Surma Group Grey to dark grey mudstone, sandstone and pebbly sandstone.

184.14

---------------------------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------

Permian Gondwana Group Felspathic sandstone, carbonaceous sandstone, carbonaceous shale, siltstone, mudstone, coal and conglomerate. Base not seen.

814.93 +

Table showing Coal reserves of Khalaspir basin, Pirganj, Rangpur: Number of zones

Area

Average thickness of coal zones

Proved reserves Probable Reserves

Proved Probable Each zones Total

I

2.52 sq.km

12.26 sq.km

16.95m 56.38X106

142.92 X106

Tons

685X106 Tons

II 9.93m 33.03X106

III 1.22m 4.05X106

IV 6.96m 23.15X106

V 2.77m 7.55X106

VI 2.67m 8.88X106

VII 1.66m 5.52X106

VIII 1.31m 4.35X106

Table showing the Result of Analyses of Coal found in Khalaspir coal basins in percentages.

Name of Basin

Moisture

Fixed Carbon

Volatile Matters

Ash Sulphur BTU/Pound Grade

Khalahspir 0.57-4.1 32.09-66.55 6.02-28.83 7.6-50.51 Trace 7388- 13000 Bituminous

Hosaf International is continuing exploration work in this coal field and has a proved deposit of 277 million tons with 18 holes. Dighipara Coal field During the 1950's the Standard Vacuum Oil Company (SVOC) carried out seismic survey in the northern part of the country and in 1963, the Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDC) also carried out seismic survey. In addition to those, the SVOC and OGDC carried out aeromagnetic survey in the region. The surveys identified several basins and Dighipara basin is one of such basins. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh carried out regional Gravity and Magnetic Surveys to delineate the basin boundary and in 1995 the Geological Survey of Bangladesh discovered this coal field. The quality of this coal is similar to other coal. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh has continued the exploration activity in the Basin and drilled four holes and found coal in all the holes. The composite thickness of the coal seams is about 64 metres. It has been estimated that in an area of 1.2 square kilometres there is more than 100 metric tons of coal is proved deposits and the probable deposit is 600 million tons. Recently the Government of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh has granted an exploration licence to the Petrobangla. The Delta Pacific Mining PLC has expressed their willingness to have joint venture with the Petrobangla. The probable basin area is about 15 square kilometres.

Structurally the Dighipara basin is within the southern slope of the Rangpur Platform. Dighipara basin Is a north-south elongated oval shaped and may be fault bounded basin. This basin is separated from the Khalaspir basin by the Bhaduria high. Eastern side of the basin may be fault bounded (evidenced from the gravity bouger anomaly map). Dighipara, Dangapara.and Daudpur may be the sub-basins of one big basin and these sub-basins may be separated from each other by secondary faults. The northeast-southwest trending fault may be the northern limit of these basins. These basins may be formed by faulting in the crystalline basement during Permo-carboniferous time (Banerjee, 1981). Later on these basins were reshaped and basin marginal adjustments took place from time to time due to the Himalayan upheavals (Uddin 1996). Table showing the stratigraphic succession of the basin as established from the borehole:

Age Formation Lithologic description Thickness

/ Group (Max.)

Holocene Alluvium Silty clay: light brown, soft, root lets 0.9m (3 ft)

-------------------Unconformity----------------------------

Pleistocene Barind Clay Red lay: brown, variegated, sticky &

plastic when wet, hard on drying. 7.62 m

Ferruginous nodules present. (25 ft)

------------------------------------Unconformity----------------------------------------------

Plio- Dupi Tila Sandstone, pebbly sandstone and

pleistocene Formation occasional clay stone: 320.00 m

Sandstone: light yellow to brown, (1050 ft)

white at places, fine to coarse, loose.

Pebbly sandstone: Grey with various

shades of colour, sub-angular, mostly

quartzite embedded in a sand matrix;

poorly consolidated.

Clay: grey to bluish grey with reddish

tints, sticky and plastic when wet,

hard on drying, at places lignitic

material present. Bottom part is white.

Soft.

? Kopili (?) Reworked Kopili sandstone, shale with 60.95m

fossils (200 ft)

? Tura (?) Tura sandstone? Mainly silica sand 60.95 m

and occasional clay beds (200 ft)

Permian Gondwana Feldspathic sandstone, carbonaceous 167.33 m

Group sandstone, carbonaceous shale, (549 ft)

conglomerate and coal beds,

Pre- Basement Diorite Gneiss, granite gneiss, granite: 41.15m

Cambrian Complex Highly fractured (135 ft)

Base not seen

Table showing formations with depth and thickness:

Formation GOH-49/1995 GDH-58/2001 GOH-60/2003 GDH-61/2004

Dep

th

(m)

Thic

knes

s (m

)

Dep

th

(m)

Thic

knes

s (m

)

Dep

th

(m)

Thic

knes

s (m

)

Dep

th

(m)

Thic

knes

s (m

)

Alluvium 0-0.61 0.61 0-0.61 0.61 0-0.76 0.76 0-0.91 0.91

Barind Clay

Residuum

0.61-

8.23

7.62 0.61-6.10 5.49 0.76- 3.66 2.90 0.91-6.10 5.18

Dupi Tila 8.23-

327.95

319.72 6.10-

249.92

243.83 3.66-

260.59

256.93

6.10-

189.58

183.48

Kopili (?) - - 249.92-

287.41

37.49 - - 189.58-

250.53

60.96

Tura (?) - - 287.41-

335.87

48.46 260.59-

328.56

67.97 250.53-

311.80

61.26

Gondwana 327.95-

469.37

141.42 335.87-

501.98

166.11 328.56-

495.28

166.72 311.80-

479.12

167.33

Basement 469.37-

510.52

41.15

(+)

501.98-

526.06

24.08

(+)

495.28-

505.03

9.75

(+)

479.12-

487.96

8.84

(+)

Table showing Coal seams with depth and thickness (in metres):

Seam no.

GDH-49/1995 GDH-58/2001 GDH-60/2003 GDH-61/2004

I 327.96-345.03= 17.07 383.53-400.5 I = 16.98 355.09-365.00=9.91 323.09-342.90=19.81

II 348.39-382.22=33.83 403.62-438.91=35.30 368.81-402.71=33.99 348.08-384.66 =36.58

III 384.66-391.67=7.01 441.135-442.57=1.22 407.52-408.04=0.52 388.32-395.02 = 6.71

IV 395.94-398.37=2.44 444.79-455.07=10.27 416.36-419.25=2.90 397.31-400.66 =3.35

v 400.43-402.03=1.60 ------ ------- 407.97-408.89 = 0.91

VI 406.45-406.76=0.30 ------- ------- 411.99-412.80= 0.81

VII ----- ----- ----- 414.83-417.73=2.90

Total thickness

62.25 metres 63.76 metres 47.32 metres 71.07 metres

Table showing the results of the Chemical Analyses of Coal Samples (GDH-61/04) :

Seam

No.

Depth

in feet

Moisture

%

Volatile

Matter % Ash %

Fixed

Carbon %

Total

Sulfur %

Calorific value

BTU/Ib.

Specific

Gravity

I

1065'7" 4.06 29.94 4.05 61.95 0..33 13500 1.30

1085' 3.30 33.65 6.30 56.75 0.41 13600 1.34

1102'2" 4.73 30.50 3.57 61.20 0.91 13400 1.61

1123'18" 3.35 33.90 4.85 57.90 0.54 13400 1.30

I I

1156' 2.82 33.92 4.83 58.43 0.89 13400 1.29

1172' 3.01 33.65 3.50 59.84 0.65 13500 1.29

1188'6" 2.20 33.19 6.70 57.91 0.64 13400 1.31

1215' 2.65 29.40 3.80 64.15 0.86 13800 1.23

1231'8' ' 2.22 28.23 17.54 52.01 0.52 12000 1.25

1252'8" 2.24 32.58 9.88 55.40 0.65 12500 1.37

I I I 1276'6" 3.57 28.08 5.80 62.55 0.38 13500 1.32

1285'8" 2.36 26.90 7.89 62.85 0.86 13450 1.28

IV 1314' 1.97 29.65 12.33 56.05 0.49 12200 1.30

V 1339' 2.10 29.97 11.85 56.08 0.44 12350 1.29

V I I 1369'8" 3.15 27.57 9.66 59.62 0.50 13200 1.32

Analyzed by: Ferdowsi Begum, Chemist, Analytical Chemistry Branch, GSB, Assisted by, Begurn Sakera, Chemist, Analytical

Chemistry Branch, GSB.

Table showing the maximum, minimum and average results of the seam-wise chemical analyses of coal

at Dighipara basin, Dinajpur.

Seam

No. Moisture % Volatile Matter % Ash % Fixed Carbon %

Total Sulfur

%

Calorific value

BTU/lb.

Max Min. Av. Max. Min. Av. Max. Min. Av. Max. Min. Av. Max. Min. Av. Max. Min. Av.

I 4.73 0.49 3.2 38.23 14.74 30.89 38.57 2.53 9.18 73.15 35.04 56.29 1.29 0.33 0.65 14981 9110 12836

II 4.71 0.32 2.67 39.56 13.42 32.08 37.56 1.34 8.17 79.9 37.69 57.13 0.91 0.4 0.67 14250 9200 12983

III 3.59 2.11 2.71 33.59 20.36 28.46 30.2 4.6 12.50 62.85 45.32 56.33 0.86 0.37 0.58 14600 9250 12497

IV 2.68 0.41 1.88 29.65 22.85 25.42 34.9 12.33 20.62 56.57 41.44 52.38 1.01 0.4 0.56 12200 9100 10650

V 2.1 1.38 1.74 29.97 26.24 27.64 32.23 11.85 22.47 56.08 40.12 50.08 1.03 0.44 0.86 12350 9100 10480

VI 1.58 1.58 1.58 32.94 32.94 32. 94 14.71 14.71 14.71 50.77 50.77 50.77 0.89 0.89 0.89 12170 12170 12170

VII 3.15 3.15 3.15 27.57 27.57 27.57 9.66 9.66 9.66 59.62 59.62 59.62 0.50 0.50 0.50 13200 13200 13200

Reserves of the deposits Four holes have been drilled in the basin. Proven reserves of coal in an area of 1.25 sq km encompassing by the four holes drilled in the basin are calculated as 105 million metric tons. Average thickness of the coal is calculated as 61.10 m (200.4 ft). The average specific gravity of the coal was taken as 1.375.

Phulbari Coal field Geological Survey of Bangladesh expected to get more coal at Barapukuria. In 1997 one foreign company named BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary International) discovered bituminous coal at the depth150m at Phulbari and thickness is 38.41. The deposit of this coal field is thought to be considerable thickness. The prospecting licence was then transferred to during 2002 to Asia Energy PLC for exploration of coal in the Phulbari Basin. The company in their exploration activities has found 572 million tons of coal. AEC has strongly recommended for development the coal by through open pit mining. But there was resentment over the mining methods. It is understood that there many pros and cons on the mining methods. Now it will be Government of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh to decide what is to. The government is contemplating to promulgate the Coal Policy of Bangladesh.

The estimated 2.6 billion tons of coal=65 TCF of gas-more than four times the known reserves.

Government Revenue US $ 200 million per year.

3 million tons of import coal from India for brick kilns.

1 mmt of coal=0.025 TCF of gas. 65 TCF= 2600 million tons 1 ,, = 2600/65=40 million metric tons.

It is expected additional coal tonnage mine life will be found through exploring area

Grounwater can be controlled upper Dupi .Tila aquifer.

Total number of boreholes=108 Total cumulative depth all boreholes=23,893 meters

Phulbari Basin is defined by the sub-crop of the Permian half-graben structure beneath the overlain Tertiary sediments.

The basin and coal strata deepers from west to east and depth of coal appear to be maximum in the central part of the Phulbari basin.

There are two major coal seams I Seam -11.9-19.8 metres thick II Main – 13.9-20.8 metres thick There are three seams.

Table: Stratigraphy of the Phulbari basin

Period Formation Lithology

Quaternary Undifferentiated Madhupur Clay

Alluvials associated with streams. Clays, red-brown.

Tertiary Upper Dupi Tila Lower Dupi Tila Lower Dupi Tila

Interbedded sands and gravels,generally micaceous. Mudstone and clays, weathered Intercalated quartz sands and silty clays.

Permian Gondwana Group Mudstones and sandstones, weathered. Coal seams: Upper, main, Lower 1 and Lower 2. Mudstones and sandstones, weathered.

Archean Basement granite/granodiorite

Hydrogeology

Modhupur Clay: Permeability 0.0001 to 0.008 m/day

Upper Dupitila Transmissivity- 650 to 1500 m2/d Hydraulic conductivity 6 to 15 m/d Storativity for 0.001 to 0.0001 Specific yield 0.15to 25 Ground water depth range 2 to 9 meters.

Lower Dupitila regional aquiclude

Barapukuria suggest coal seam have higher permeability.

Continuous groundwater extraction rates upto 7000 l/s will be required to manage over the life of the mine.

Coal Quality

High volatile A bituminous

High volatile B bituminous

Predominantly dull banded dull

Occasional higher concentration of bright coal

Vitrinite content is relatively low.

Raw coal has very low coking properties.

Ash content 15% to 19%

Through processing-7% to 13% possible for export market

20 to 35% for local industrial and thermal power stations

Volatile matter varies from 37.5% to less than 36%.

Sulphur usually less than 1%.

Ash- 14.1% to 27.4%

Fixed carbon -44.7% to 53%.

Density- 1.39-1.51

Specific energy- M.J/kg-24.8 to 28.3 Tertiary Coal About 3(three) million tons of lignite coal of tertiary rock has been found at Lalghat-Takerghat area of Sunamgonj district. Coal has been found in 5(five) of 11(eleven) identified basins of Bangladesh. Geological drill hole will be done in 7(seven) basins. It is expected that the reserve of coal deposit must be hopeful. Today it is not a dream that the future of the country will be enlightened by the light of black coal of Bangladesh Table1 Showing some aspects of the coal basins of Bangladesh.

Name of Coal Basin

Total thickness in

metres

Basin area in sq. km

Explored area in sq.

km

Depth of coal in metres

Proved Reserve in

million metric tons

Probable reserves in

million metric tons

Jamalganj 64 37 11.8 610-1,158 1053 ?

Dighipara 50-64 15 3.4 308-474 200 600

Phulbari 14-77 6 5.0 140- 320 572 ?

Barapukuria 25.61-79.67 6.58 5.0 119-500 389 ?

Khalaspir 29 15.0 2.54 257-320 143 685

Table 2 Showing the Result of Analyses of Coal found in different coal basins in percentages.

Name of Basin

Moisture

Fixed Carbon

Volatile Matters

Ash Sulphur BTU/Pound Grade

Jamalgonj - 34-54 30-42 22.4 0.6 11,780 Bituminous

Dighipara 2.9-3.06 49.76-52.76 30.01-39.27 8-14.9 0.54-0.65 11,500-13,000 Bituminous

Phulbari 2.7 51.0 30.5 12.15 < 1 8000kcal/kg Bituminous

Barapukuria - 44.93-54.86 28-65 11.79 0.43 10,500-13,591 Bituminous

Khalahspir 0.57-4.1 32.09-66.55 6.02-28.83 7.6-50.51 Trace 7388- 13000 Bituminous

There was a great hope of Mining of Coal Deposits in Jamalgonj and the Government endeavoured to mine the coal for the benefit of the nation but the hope was ended by the comment in the report of the Robertson Research International Limited, “Financially and economically the establishment of a Coal mine at Jamalgonj is doubtfully viable because a

zero interest loan would enable to operate or a break even slightly profitable basis.The capital cost conditions, as at present forseen(at present day price) of the project is extended to be 83.048 million Sterling Pound which will be studying two shafts.It is ,therefore,concluded from these facts that the development of a Coal mine at Jamalgonj is not commercially viable project. Further, it is to mention that the BHP-UTAH International Inc. made a proposed for extraction of Coal Bed Methane Gas from the Jamalgonj Coal Field but study had not produced bright prospect. There are many conditions prevailing in the Jamalgonj Coal Field which tempt to proceed to have a study of extracting Coal Bed Methane but the fate of the proposed ended with their comment in Production Forcast ”Of all variables,the Geological unknowns still have the most potential to change the feasivility unless continuity of thick seams is proved;unless there is a sufficient gas absorbed, and unless sufficient permeability can be developed by fracturing” A Review on the Report of the Underground Gasification of Coal depicts some salient features which may give some light of hope of possibility of use of Jamalgonj Coal Deposits. The report mentioned,” In the USA some successful result had been obtained by electro Carbonization of coal in the seam at an experimental establishment in Gorgas, Alabama. This work had been seen by a British delegation in 1952. When it was considered that the result was sufficiently promising to justify the initiation of similar tests in Britain should the need arise”. Further it is to note that the national Coal Board sent a group of experts to USSR to observe the processes of Gasification of Coal. During the study of Underground Gasification of Coal, there were more than 62 trials and in one trial it was observed: A trial gave usable gas for a period of 118 days during which time it was estimated that 9,000 tons of Coal consumed out of 10800 tons of Coal which was available. The calorific value of the gas produced varied from 40 to 90 B.th. U/Cu.Ft with an average value of 57 B.th U/Cu.In conclusion it was said “In fact, the trial was a while complete success”. Further it was mentioned that the actual heat balance may also be affected by gas loss. For a number of reasons, the overburden may be permeable or may develop fissures through subsidence. Leakage of air and gas can result. This is an adverse effect in the processes of underground gasification of coal. Now let us mention some salient features of the Jamalganj Coal field as it was observed in Shaft Sinking Site Drill Hole (SSDH-14). Process parameters - such as operating pressure, outlet temperature and flow are governed by the coal and rock properties that vary with time and location. Information on the process conditions must be constantly monitored and updated as the underground gasifier develops. Process parameters need to be adjusted accordingly to accommodate the ever-varying conditions of gasification. The WCG technology uses a variety of modern drilling methods; including highprecision directional holes, as well as conventional vertical and inclined (or angled) holes. In its arsenal are various methods of well-linking, the capability to inject different oxidants (air, enriched air, 02/1-120, C02/02 and so on), and a great variety of designs of underground

gasifiers. It can be applied to coal in a wide range of geological cond'itions, with the following preferred parameters:

Coal seam thickness from 0.5 to 30 m.

Dip from 00 to 70'.

Depth from 30 to 800 m.

Calorific value (LHV) from 8.0 to 30.0 MJ/kg (which includes low-quality lignite and bituminous coal).

Geological Succession with some particular aspects ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Formation Lithology Probable permeability conditions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alluvium Sand, silt and clay Permeable ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Barind Clay Clay and silt Poorly permeable ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dupi Tila Formation Pebbly sandstone forming Permeable deep aquifer ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Surma Group Alteration of sandstone, siltstone Nearly impervious and claystones ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kopili Formation Marly in character Nearly impervious ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sylhet Limestone Fine grained limestone forming the May be slightly roof rock over the Tura Sandstone permeable ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tura Sandstone Clayey sandstone May be slightly Permeable ---------------------------------Unconformity---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gondwana Top of the formation is of thick white Top of the formation clay bed and alteration of arkosic nearly impervious sandstone and Coal Beds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table: Projected Demand for Commercial Energy and Electricity (Low Economic Growth Scenario)

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Population (million)

113 125 137 149 161 174 186

GNP Growth Rate

4.5% 5.4% 6.4% 7.2% 7.7% 8.0% 8.0%

Per capita GNP ($)

190 217 262 334 441 596 816

Energy Growth Rate

7.3% 7.4% 8.8% 9.9% 8.3% 8.6% 8.6%

Per Capita Kg OE

56 72 96 137 201 280 395

Total Fuel (MTOE)

6 9 13 20 33 49 74

MJ/$ GNP 13 14 16 18 20 20 21

Electricity

Percentage in fuel

35% 37% 39% 37% 33% 33% 33%

Total GWH 8271 12377 19120 28280 40061 54570 82544

Per capita KWh

73 99 139 190 248 314 443

Load Factor 55% 56% 56% 57% 58% 59% 60%

Peak Load 1717 2523 3898 5664 7885 10558 15705

Table: Projected Demand for Commercial Energy and Electricity (High Economic Growth Scenario)

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Population (million)

113 125 137 149 161 174 186

GNP Growth Rate

4.5% 5.4% 7.2% 8.7% 9.3% 9.6% 10.0%

Per capita GNP ($)

190 217 265 353 504 736 1081

Energy Growth Rate

7.3% 7.4% 9.9% 11.9% 10.3% 10.3% 10.3%

Per Capita Kg OE

56 72 97 148 229 346 526

Total Fuel (MTOE)

6 9 13 22 37 60 98

MJ/$ GNP 13 14 16 18 19 20 21

Electricity

Percentage in fuel

35% 37% 39% 37% 33% 31% 30%

Total GWH 8271 12377 19417 30542 45491 69641 109828

Per capita KWh

73 99 142 205 282 400 589

Load Factor 55% 56% 56% 57% 58% 59% 60%

Peak Load 1717 2523 3858 6117 8953 13474 20896

In conclusion, it may be said that considering the permeability factors of overlying formations there will be less possibility of gas or air loss but it should be the subject of study. Further, it is to say that all types studies are to be made to identify the best way or better ways to implement to use the coal deposits in the Jamalganj Coal Field towards the development of the area and the development of the country as a whole.