Natural gas is the only mineral resource tn Bangladesh. according to the Europa World year book 1992 But th 1968 some valuable minerals were found In the Cox's Bazar sea beach and the nearest Islands

To bring the minerals in their pure state Is difficult but not Impossible. New technology and Instruments have been discovered to purify and process these minerals With modern technology it is also possible to synthesize most minerals Including diamond in the laboratory.

Extraction of the minerals docs not always need to be profitable Because these minerals are the sources of metal lie minerals. The grade of an ore varies from deposit to deposit. Whether an ore can be mined 1s a question of costs and metal prices, since both vary. Cost of mining depends to a targe extent on the geology and mineralogy, for these largely determine the mining method. Metal price is a function of world conditions and the rarity of the metal or ore.

The money we need for ex traction, purification and pro cessing can be arranged from international organisations and the world famous geological surveys. We can get help in the form of cash, technology and expertise. Many poor countries like ours have developed thetr economies and produced many experts of their own through these organisations.

In the developed world, the market demand for these minerals has matured. We should take necessary steps immediately for extraction separation and utilisation of the minerals. Some Third World governments think they would explore the minerals when they would be financially solvent. This is a wrong idea because many metals or ores go out of favour or Improvements in technology or new discoveries favour sources elsewhere. For example mercury has tost its market due to environment pollution. Optical glass fibres has replaced coppers in telecommunications.

Aluminium Is replaced by plastics. We have tost jute market

to synthetics. Moreover, the Industrialised developed countries have started recy cltng process Metals have a high recycling value which has long been an economic bonus.

These minerals are used in many industries tn our country But It Is a matter of great regret that these minerals are Imported at a cost of huge foreign currencies every year

During the last 25 years there has been no progress tn exploration, and marketing of the valuable minerals The mi son is that proper men were not given proper jobs. As for example some people having no previous experienre and no training on these fields arc wasting time and money every year In the name of research and development.

On the otherhand. Bangladeshi experts and skilled persons working abroad In these fields arc not coming back due to non availability of jobs It ts surprising that most of the university students and engineers are not familiar with the valuable min: crals available in our country because nobody felt any neces sity for Informing them about the valuable minerals. s

New an important materials enable new technologies to develop which result In new industries and an increase in national wealth and employment.

At present the total market price of all the minerals In the pure state Is approximately 10 to 15 lakh crore which means If the amount is distributed among the people of Bangladesh every body should get at least one lakh taka. This ts a fact and It Is scientifically and technologically proved.

For proper utilisation of these valuable minerals, a na tiona] policy has to be formulated. Ixx-al scientists, experts and engineers must be given necessary supports to be equal to the task. With help from abroad the right kind of technology has to be adopted for commercial extraction of the valuable minerals.

A former electronics engineer. United States Geological Survey and member of the National Committee for Mineral Resources.