The black gold paradox

BANGLADESH that has been facing severe energy crunch, continues still to be indecisive about the use of one of the cheapest energy source, coal. Despite having a substantial reserve of the mineral, successive governments have failed to finalise a coal policy determining the methods of its extraction. The draft coal policy has been revised again and again in the light of recommendations of the experts but the final policy resolving the contentious issues involving the method/s of mining is yet to emerge.

The dispute over methods of mining in a country where coal mines are located in heavily populated areas is nothing surprising. The old method of coal mining, making tunnels underground, does not cause any major displacement of population or destroy forests and other infrastructures. But very marginal exploitation of coal reserves, estimated at 20 per cent of the entire reserve, is considered to be uneconomic. The other method, the open-pit mining ensures the full exploitation of the reserve. But it entails an enormous sacrifice in terms of loss of land and property and damage to environment, flora and fauna.

The selection of either of the methods has been a hotly debated national issue, leading to foot-dragging by the administration. However, one can hardly overlook the dilemma the government faces in taking a firm decision on the methods of coal extraction. However, it is now heartening to note that the national coal policy might be finalized by the end of the current calendar year. The draft of the policy, according to the adviser to the Prime Minister on energy matters, is likely to be placed before the parliament to incorporate suggestions of the lawmakers before its finalisation. High hopes, however, were raised in the past also about the finalization of the policy. But nothing tangible has yet happened.

The country, which is reeling under a severe energy crisis and thinking about installing imported coal-based power plants to offset the same, cannot afford time-wasting debates over the selection of coal extraction methods. The government does need to ensure maximum exploitation of the mineral, causing minimum possible displacement of human settlements and damage to environment. There should not be opposition from any quarters, political or otherwise, just for the sake of opposition.

In the meanwhile, an expert last Sunday came out with suggestions for the use of modern technology for the extraction of the coal reserves. Its presence at a great depth makes exploitation uneconomic. But the proposed technology provides for burning of coal deep inside the mine to transform the same into gas for use through pipeline. The method also helps exploitation of the coal-bed methane. The underground coal gasification process which is now being used by a number of countries can also be tried at the Jamalganj coal reserve, located between 500 metres and 1100 metres depth. However, much would depend on the cost of technology and the results of a well-designed feasibility study.

It is a paradox that the country is sitting on a large reserve of high quality coal and yet it is paying a heavy economic price for power and energy crises. Whether the country finds new gas reserves or not, it must use its coal for meeting its current energy need. Time may not be that far away when coal would be regarded as an obsolete and uneconomic energy source.