coal mining in bangladesh

8/3/2019 Coal Mining in Bangladesh

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Open Pit Coal Mining inOpen Pit Coal Mining in

Bangladesh: Lessons fromBangladesh: Lessons from

Pennsylvania, USAPennsylvania, USAMd. Khalequzzaman, Ph.D.Md. Khalequzzaman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & ChairAssociate Professor & ChairDept. of Geology & PhysicsDept. of Geology & Physics

Lock Haven UniversityLock Haven University

Lock Haven, PA 17745, USALock Haven, PA 17745, USA

www.lhup.eduwww.lhup.edu/mkhalequ/mkhalequ


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Factoids About CoalFactoids About Coal

Coal forms from compaction andCoal forms from compaction and indurationinduration ofof

variously altered plant remains similar to thosevariously altered plant remains similar to thoseof peat deposits.of peat deposits.

The plant remains that turn into coal overThe plant remains that turn into coal over

millions of years were deposited in variousmillions of years were deposited in variousenvironments: floodplain, coastal plain, delta,environments: floodplain, coastal plain, delta,

estuary, etc. as sedimentary rocks similar to theestuary, etc. as sedimentary rocks similar to the

SundarbanSundarban or land forests.or land forests.

Reducing environment of coal deposition alsoReducing environment of coal deposition also

contains other iron (and other metals) minerals.contains other iron (and other metals) minerals.


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Depositional Models for CoalDepositional Models for Coal

Bangladesh Model

Pennsylvania Model


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CoalCoalThe Dirty FuelThe Dirty Fuel

Coal is a very important but dirty fossil fuelCoal is a very important but dirty fossil fuel

Coal mining has severe environmental,Coal mining has severe environmental,ecological, humanecological, human--health consequences.health consequences.

If not done properly, coal mining has potential toIf not done properly, coal mining has potential to

damage landscape, soils, surface water,damage landscape, soils, surface water,groundwater, air during all phases of explorationgroundwater, air during all phases of exploration

and use.and use.

Coal mining has some unavoidable negativeCoal mining has some unavoidable negative

impacts on humans and the environment.impacts on humans and the environment.


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Facts about Coal DepositsFacts about Coal Deposits

Most coal deposits contain pyrite (FeSMost coal deposits contain pyrite (FeS22))

arsenopyritearsenopyrite and other sulfide minerals.and other sulfide minerals.


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Facts about Coal Deposits (ContFacts about Coal Deposits (Contd)d)

Coal mining creates huge amounts of refuse or spoil


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Acid Mine Drainage ProductsAcid Mine Drainage Products

4FeS4FeS22 +15O+15O22 +14H+14H22OO 4 Fe(OH)4 Fe(OH)33 + 8(SO+ 8(SO44))--22 + 16 H+ 16 H++

Pyrite + Oxygen + Water =Pyrite + Oxygen + Water = Yellow BoyYellow Boy ++ AcidAcid ++ SulfateSulfate

Release of H+ lowers pH values below 7 => generatesRelease of H+ lowers pH values below 7 => generatesacidic runacidic run--off and groundwater discharge => undrinkableoff and groundwater discharge => undrinkable

& uninhabitable& uninhabitable Yellow BoyYellow Boy smothers flora and fauna on riverbedsmothers flora and fauna on riverbed

Acidic water also releases other metals (Al,Acidic water also releases other metals (Al, MnMn, As,, As, CdCd,,

Zn, etc.) into surface water and groundwater.Zn, etc.) into surface water and groundwater. Once introduced, may take decades and $millions to improveOnce introduced, may take decades and $millions to improve

degradation on land, water, ecosystems, and health.degradation on land, water, ecosystems, and health.


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Pennsylvania ExperiencePennsylvania Experience

One of the largest coal deposits in the US; hasOne of the largest coal deposits in the US; has

been mining since 1760.been mining since 1760.

PA is the 4PA is the 4thth largest producer in the US.largest producer in the US.

Coal was driving force behind industrializationCoal was driving force behind industrialization

and power generation.and power generation.

Left a legacy of devastation by AMD and spoil.Left a legacy of devastation by AMD and spoil.

There wasnThere wasnt much environmental regulationt much environmental regulationuntil 1937, and mainly during 1970until 1937, and mainly during 1970--90s (some90s (some

of which will be listed later).of which will be listed later).


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Extent of AMD Problem in PAExtent of AMD Problem in PA

Coal Deposits in PA

Water Quality in PAfollowing Coal Mining- NoFish in Rivers & Stream


10/27Courtesy: Steve Browning, 2005

PA RealityPA Reality

AMD Affected Streamin PA is the Number 1Cause of Pollution


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AMD PhenomenaAMD Phenomena

The Kill Zone in AMD Affected Areas

AMD smothered plants on riverbeds


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Issues onIssues on exposure assessment sideexposure assessment side

Source:Source: Public water supplyPublic water supply

Private well waterPrivate well water

Recreational waterRecreational water

Contaminants:Contaminants:

AMD / metalsAMD / metals

Infectious (Infectious (GiardiaGiardia))

THMsTHMs

PesticidesPesticides

ArsenicArsenic

RadonRadon

From Trout Unlimited DocumentCourtesy: Steve Browning, 2005


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The West Branch of the Susquehanna River, PA

Covers an a rea o f 7 ,000 squar e m i les

An un f o r t u na t e l egacy : Hist o r i c un r egu la t ed m in ing

5 7 % o f t h e p o l l u t i o n i s a b an d o n e d m i n e d r ai n ag e ( A MD)

More t han 1 ,000 m i l es of m a in st em and t r i bu t a r i es have si gn i f i can t AMD

2 4 % o f t h e p o l l u t i o n i s n u t r i en t a n d ag r i cu l t u r a l r u n o f f

Courtesy: SteveBrowning, 2005


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Shamokin Creek, West Branch Watershed, PA

Iron : 1200-29,000 ug/LSulfates: 700-800 mg/L

pH: 2-3.5Aluminum: 1700 ug/LManganese: 2890 ug/L

Photos courtesy ofDr. Carl Kirby, Bucknell

Water quality in a stream 13

miles below mining area


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AmericaAmericas Most Endangereds Most Endangered

Rivers of 2005.Rivers of 2005.

Courtesy: SteveBrowning, 2005

Pennsylvania


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After the FactAfter the Factin PA & USAin PA & USA

AMD treatment (active and passive) isAMD treatment (active and passive) is

very expensive and time consuming andvery expensive and time consuming andsome will never get done.some will never get done. In PA alone, 250,000 acres of mined areaIn PA alone, 250,000 acres of mined area

Pa spent $650 mill. as Growing GreenerPa spent $650 mill. as Growing GreenerGrants, most of which on AMD issues.Grants, most of which on AMD issues.

Local watershed groups are involvedLocal watershed groups are involved

FluidizedFluidized--bed Combustion & Coalbed Combustion & CoalGasification are being used.Gasification are being used.


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Environmental Regulations in PA & USAEnvironmental Regulations in PA & USA

Act 375 of PA in 1913: Not to discharge coalAct 375 of PA in 1913: Not to discharge coalrefuse in streamsrefuse in streams

The Clean Stream Law of 1937The Clean Stream Law of 1937 The Surface Mining Conservation &The Surface Mining Conservation &

Reclamation Act of 1945Reclamation Act of 1945

The Coal Refuse Disposal Act of 1960The Coal Refuse Disposal Act of 1960 PA Surface Mining Law of 1968PA Surface Mining Law of 1968

Coal Mining Safety & Health Act of 1968Coal Mining Safety & Health Act of 1968

The Clean Water & Air Act of 1970 & 1990The Clean Water & Air Act of 1970 & 1990 Surface Mining Conservation & ReclamationSurface Mining Conservation & Reclamation

Act of 1982 & 1996Act of 1982 & 1996


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Examples of Passive TreatmentExamples of Passive Treatment

AMD T Pl


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AMD Treatment PlantsAMD Treatment Plants

Cost = $150,000-200,000 per plant


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AMD Treatment ChemistryAMD Treatment Chemistry

2H2H++ + CaCO+ CaCO33 = Ca= Ca+2+2 +CO+CO22 + H+ H22OO

Acid + Limestone = Calcium + COAcid + Limestone = Calcium + CO22 + water+ water Ca(OH)Ca(OH)22 + 2H+ 2H

++ = Ca= Ca+2+2 + 2H+ 2H22OO

Lime + Acid = Calcium + waterLime + Acid = Calcium + water

CHCH22O + 4 Fe(OH)O + 4 Fe(OH)33 +8H+8H++ = 4Fe= 4Fe+2+2 + CO+ CO22 + 11H+ 11H22OO Organics + Yellow Boy + Acid = Iron +COOrganics + Yellow Boy + Acid = Iron +CO22 + Water+ Water

2CH2CH22O + SOO + SO

44

--22 = H= H22S + 2HCOS + 2HCO

33

--

Organics + Sulfate = Hydrogen sulfide + biOrganics + Sulfate = Hydrogen sulfide + bi--carbonate alkalinitycarbonate alkalinity

These reactions have unwanted byproductsThese reactions have unwanted byproducts


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Locations of Coals in BangladeshLocations of Coals in Bangladesh

Source: Gourdji, et al., 2005


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Coal Deposits in BangladeshCoal Deposits in Bangladesh

The amount of discovered coal is very smallThe amount of discovered coal is very small

So far less than 1,500 million tons (Mt) foundSo far less than 1,500 million tons (Mt) found By comparison, India has 197 billion tons (Bt)By comparison, India has 197 billion tons (Bt)

There are about 400There are about 400--500 Mt coal in Phulbari500 Mt coal in Phulbari AEC plans to mine 1.5AEC plans to mine 1.5--15 Mt/year from 200915 Mt/year from 2009

Other fields have over 1000 MtOther fields have over 1000 Mt

BangladeshBangladeshs coal is over 245s coal is over 245--286286 m.ym.y. old. old

Coal was deposited in swampy environmentsCoal was deposited in swampy environments

Source: http://minerals.usgs.gov; http://banglapedia.search.com.bd
http://minerals.usgs.gov/http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/http://minerals.usgs.gov/


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Phulbari Open Pit Coal MiningPhulbari Open Pit Coal Mining

Asia Energy Corporation owns the fieldAsia Energy Corporation owns the field

Will start production in 2009 for 30 yearsWill start production in 2009 for 30 years Spent $18 Million for EIA and got clearanceSpent $18 Million for EIA and got clearance

Will displace 50,000 peopleWill displace 50,000 people

Mining area will cover 6.5 sq. kmMining area will cover 6.5 sq. km Depth of coal deposit is 130Depth of coal deposit is 130--300 m300 m

1,200 pumping wells with 61,200 pumping wells with 6--700,000 L/day700,000 L/day AEC will generate TK. 144,000AEC will generate TK. 144,000 crorescrores

GOB will receive about TK. 9,000GOB will receive about TK. 9,000 crorescrores

Source: The English Dailies in Bangladesh


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Without Public Access to the Mining PlanWithout Public Access to the Mining Plan

These Questions Beg for AnswersThese Questions Beg for Answers What is the mining and operational plan like?What is the mining and operational plan like?

Will the plan be open for public debate?Will the plan be open for public debate? What rehabilitation plan do they propose?What rehabilitation plan do they propose?

Is the plan acceptable to affected people?Is the plan acceptable to affected people?

How will the affected people be compensated?How will the affected people be compensated?

How will AEC contain/remediate theHow will AEC contain/remediate the

spoil/refuse?spoil/refuse? What treatment plan do they have for potentialWhat treatment plan do they have for potential

AMD and degradation of the environment?AMD and degradation of the environment?


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More QuestionsMore QuestionsNeed AnswersNeed Answers

If a country like USA cannot escape theIf a country like USA cannot escape the

damage to the environment and hugedamage to the environment and hugecost to the society, then what assurancecost to the society, then what assuranceAEC will have for the people ofAEC will have for the people of

Bangladesh in general and Phulbari inBangladesh in general and Phulbari inparticular?particular?

What environmental regulations, acts,What environmental regulations, acts,and laws the GOB has with regard toand laws the GOB has with regard tocoal mining and clean watercoal mining and clean water--air toair to

protect our environment, ecosystems,protect our environment, ecosystems,and peopleand peoples health?s health?


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Who will monitor compliance to laws, andWho will monitor compliance to laws, andhow reliable are those enforcement going tohow reliable are those enforcement going tobe?be?

For how long will the AEC be accountable toFor how long will the AEC be accountable to

the GOB for their operation?the GOB for their operation? Will there be any bond money escrowed awayWill there be any bond money escrowed away

to cover uncompensated damage by AEC?to cover uncompensated damage by AEC?

Have the AEC looked into all alternatives, andHave the AEC looked into all alternatives, andcost/benefit analysis in the context of longcost/benefit analysis in the context of long--term damage to the environment andterm damage to the environment and

ecosystem?ecosystem?

More QuestionsMore QuestionsNeed AnswersNeed Answers


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coal mining in bangladesh

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