Phulbari coal mining plan reignites a 20-year-old battle

Fresh tensions are mounting in Dinajpur's Phulbari after the government signalled plans to pursue open-pit coal mining, reviving a dispute that was thought to have been settled nearly two decades ago.

Local residents and activists have warned of strong resistance if the government moves ahead with the plan.

The Democratic Rights Committee has announced a campaign march from Dhaka to Phulbari on August 24, followed by a mass rally on August 26.

The Ganosamhati Andolon also held a protest rally in Phulbari on early Wednesday (August 26).

The renewed opposition follows remarks by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at an American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh meeting in Dhaka on August 16.

He said Bangladesh was moving toward coal extraction and would have to consider open-pit mining in Phulbari and other areas, arguing that the country had few alternatives amid growing energy needs.

Bangladesh relies heavily on natural gas for power generation, but supply shortages have forced some gas-fired plants to remain idle. Coal has consequently assumed a larger role in the power sector. The country's annual coal demand is estimated at 18-20 million tonnes, while the Barapukuria mine produces around 750,000 tonnes, with most of the remaining demand met through imports.

Government estimates suggest open-pit mining could produce around 15 million tonnes of coal annually, potentially reducing dependence on imports. Bangladesh has five identified coalfields, with estimated reserves of about 5.45 billion tonnes in Jamalganj, 685 million tonnes in Khalashpir, 706 million tonnes in Dighipara, 410 million tonnes in Barapukuria and 572 million tonnes in Phulbari.

But experts and activists strongly oppose the open-pit method, citing its potential impact on agriculture, groundwater, settlements and the environment. Former Dhaka University geology professor Badrul Imam said the method was unsuitable for densely populated, agriculture-dependent Bangladesh and could cause severe displacement and environmental damage.

The issue carries particular weight in Phulbari because of the deadly protests against an earlier open-pit mining proposal by UK-based Asia Energy in 2006. On August 26 that year, police and paramilitary forces opened fire on protesters, killing three people and injuring more than 200.

Four days later, the then BNP-led government signed a six-point agreement with the protesters. The agreement explicitly ruled out open-cut coal mining projects in Phulbari or elsewhere in Bangladesh and called for Asia Energy to leave the country.

Activists say many provisions of that agreement remain unimplemented and have demanded clarification from the government over the finance minister’s remarks.

"We will not leave our homes easily," said Syed Saiful Islam Jewel, convener of the Phulbari unit of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports.

He warned that any move toward open-pit mining would trigger renewed protests and resistance.