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PM opens rock mining at Madhyapara
MADHYAPARA (Dinajput), Oct 20: Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia inaugurated the 687.44 crore taka Madhyapara hardrock project here today, saying this is a milestone in the country's development endeavour. reports UNB.
She switched on the boring shafts and unveiled the plaque of the project at Parbatipur in Dinajpur district, under which about 1.6 million tons of rock will be extracted every year.
Nearly 16.50 lakh tons of hardrock worth about Tk 200 crore can be extracted every year after the full implementation of the project, likely towards the year 2000.
In the first phase, hardrock will be extracted for 30 years and later the tenure of the project will be extended up to
Inaugurating the project, the Prime Minister said her government has decided to dig at least one gas exploratory well every year with domestic resources.
She said the exploration of mineral resources, like oil.
gas and coal, is being geared up to find newer sources of energy. "Our gas reserve is not _ unlimited. Before the current ' stock is finished we have to ensure newer sources of energy."
The Prime Minister said the country's first natural gas field was discovered in Harlpur, Sylhet in 1955 but Bangladesh entered the mining era only three months ago through Inauguration of the Barapukuria coalmine project.
Today, we begin this hardrock project at Madhyapara which Is a continuation of that effort. Madhyapara was a long cherished dream of our people. This dream is becoming a reality today. It is another mile-Stone in our development en-desvtiur"
The implementation of the Madhyapara project will entail an expenditure of Tk 687.44 crore. Of this amount. North Korea will provide 13.40 crore US dollars equivalent to Tk 522.61 crore while the rest of
expenses will be borne by the Bangladesh government
Excavation of two 5-metre dia shafts to .lift the mineral from a depth of 243-287 metre below the surface is in progress.
A huge reserve of high quality bardrock is lying in a vast area of which 1.44 square kilometers will be taken up for extraction in the first phase by a North Korean company. A Canadian consultancy firm. in a survey in 1976-77. confirmed the economic feasibility of the rock deposit discovered In 1974.
Begum Zia said hardrock which can be used in construction of flood control embankments, roads. bridges, railway ballast slippers, river training and making of floor tiles will make a significant contribution to the national economy.
Some 570 people will be employed at the project which is also likely to create nearly 10.000 indirect employment opportunities.
The Prime Minister said it Is undeniable that energy and mineral resources play a substantial role In the overall development of the country. This is. why the government has taken steps to attract foreign investment In the oil and gas sectors, sire added.
She further said that an agreement has already been signed with a foreign company to explore coal reserves .in this region.
"A bright horizon full of promise beckons us. Based on experts' opinion, data, statistics. and available information, it can be safely concluded that we do not leg behind In mineral resources," the Prime Minister said. •‘
"The 21st century will be a century where the fittest will survive. We shall have to unitedly tap our development potentials keeping this future scenario in our mind." she added.
Begum Zia said her government has been working with the long-term objective of achieving self-reliance and economic prosperity through proper exploration and extraction of the country's mineral resources.
She said .construction of Jamuna Bridge, extraction from the Barapukuria coalmine and Madhyapara hardrock mine are not isolated events. "Strengthening the socio-economic condition of the long neglected north-western region is part of our development plans." :
She said with the grace of Almighty Allah her government has succeeded in fulfilling the pledges made to the nation. "Extraction of hardrock from this project will lie a blessing from Allah, not merely for any particular segment or group, but for every citizen of the
country."
She thanked the officers and employees- of the Bangladesh Geological Survey for 'discovering this mine, and Petrobangla and others involved in the extraction of hardrock. • ■
The function was addressed by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. Vice Chairman of the Trade Corpmission for Foreign Economic Relations of North Korea Kim Chu Song. Law and Parliamentary Affairs .Minister Mirza Golam Hafiz. State Minister for Social Welfare Fazlur Rahman, local Awami League MP Mustafizur Rahman. Begum Khurshid JahSn Huq MP. Energy Secretary Foyzur Razzak and S K Mohammad Abdullah.