Engr. Abul K. M. Shamsuddin Visited BHP Minerals, Australia’s Open-Pit Mining Offices and Operations in USA during October 1994 to assess BHP / Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty Ltd (AEC) contract with GOB for the Exploration & Mining of Coal in Northern Bangladesh.
- A high level Govt. Delegation from Ministry of Energy, Govt. of Bangladesh, visited BHP Minerals Open-Pit Coal Mine offices and operations in USA in October 1994. The four member GOB team comprising (a) Mr. Badiuzzaman, the then Joint Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources (MOEMR) and former Chairman, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC / Duduk), (b) Mr. Rashidul Hai, the then Sr. Asstt Secretary, MOEMR, and former Secretary, Ministry of Works, (c) Mr. Md. Muminullah, the then Director, Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD), a cell of MOEMR, and (d) Engr Abul KM Shamsuddin, the then General Manager, Mineral Exploration Division, PETROBANGLA and former Managing Director, Pashchimanchal Gas Co Ltd (PGCL), A unit of Petrobangla (myself) visited number of BHP-Operated Open-Pit Coal Mines offices and operations in Sanfransisco, Los-Angelos, Denver, Farmington, Washington D. C. and New York, USA during October 1994.
- Mr. Nonong, a BHP Minerals Mining Geologist, working in Bangladesh, accompanied the delegation from Dhaka.
Recommendations
The drilling is proposed and designed to be done in conformity with the existing legal requirement and policy of the government. The project has adequate preventive measures for preventing blow out and it will keep all safety measures in place. The local people also gave no objection certificate to the implementation of the project. So, environmental clearance may be accorded to the project.
- Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty Ltd (AEC) has a contract with GOB for the exploration & mining of coal in Northern Bangladesh. The contract was originally signed with Australian Mining Company BHP (now BHP Billiton) in August 1994. BHP explored the area during 1995-1997 & confirmed the presence of coal. BHP withdraws from the Project in February 1998 & assigned the contract to Asia Energy. GOB formally endorsed the assignment to Asia Energy in February 1998. AEC’s Phulbari Coal Project is located in Phulbari, Dinajpur district.
- I append below six photographs – showing Delegation visit to the BHP offices in Sanfransisco and Washington D. C. and San Juan Open-Pit Coal Mine and Navajo Open Pit Coal Mine in Farmington, New Mexico, USA.
- Present Position [2022]: GOB did not agree with AEC proposal of Open-pit Mining at Phulbari. Engr. Abul KM Shamsuddin put objection on open-pit mining. Final decision has not yet been made by the Govt. on the issue.
at BHP Minerals Office in San Francisco, USA, October 1994.
FARMINGTON, USA, OCTOBER 1994
FARMINGTON, USA, OCTOBER 1994
IN NAVAJO OPEN-PIT COAL MINE, USA.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) Offices during October 1994.
