Tanvir Alam :
Recently, a significant mineral extraction deal has been finalised along the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh.
Researchers have identified valuable minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, magnetite, garnet, and quartz within the river sands.
This discovery, which was previously conducted discreetly by both local and international researchers over a two-year period, has now come to light through an investigative report published on March 6 by The Daily New Nation (online Bengali edition), titled ‘Australian eyes on Brahmaputra’s treasure.’
Following this revelation, Bangladesh authorities granted a lease to Australian company Everlast Minerals Limited under strict conditions. Spanning 799 hectares in Gaibandha’s Sadar and Phulchari upazilas, the lease allows for heavy mineral mining operations over the next decade.
The Bureau of Mineral Resources Development (BMD) approved this lease on June 20.
The signing of the agreement was overseen by Additional Secretary Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, who ensured adherence to 28 conditions.
These conditions include employing local residents throughout all phases of the mining process, providing necessary training locally and abroad as required, and supplying mined heavy mineral products to local industries.
Moreover, the lease mandates the protection of agricultural lands, local populations, and the environment. It also stipulates that the pricing of extracted minerals should be based on both local and international market rates.
In the context of mineral sales, the emphasis should primarily be placed on their use as raw materials for domestic industries and the creation of local markets. According to the Mines and Mineral Resources Rules, 2012, if radioactive materials are discovered during mining operations, actions will be taken in accordance with Rule 5(9). Incidents must be reported to both the Bureau of Mineral Resources Development and the Atomic Energy Commission.
The Bureau of Mineral Resources Development (BMD), in consultation with the District Commissioner of Gaibandha, will oversee all activities related to mineral separation. Local settlements will not be displaced during any stage of mining operations, and the lessee is responsible for ensuring the safe movement of local inhabitants in and around the mining area.
A committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Land, Local Administration, BMD, and GSB will identify and mitigate various risks associated with mineral extraction, overseeing the implementation of these measures.
According to BMD sources, 43 percent of extracted minerals will be allocated to the Bangladesh government, with the remainder going to Everlast Minerals Limited. The lessee company is obligated to pay royalties every three months in accordance with the Mining and Mineral Resources Rules.
Following extensive research covering approximately 4,000 hectares in Baluchar, Gaibandha, Everlast Minerals Limited, an Australian company, was granted a 10-year lease for 799 hectares of char area in Gaibandha Sadar and Phulchhari Upazila on June 20. Subsequently, BMD and Everlast Minerals Limited established a processing plant at Balasighat after successful mineral exploration.
In the northern districts of Bangladesh, beneath the sands of the Brahmaputra River, lie valuable minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, magnetite, garnet, and quartz.
These minerals have significant industrial applications: zircon is used in ceramics, tiles, refractories, and moulds; rutile finds use in paints, plastics, welding rods, inks, food, cosmetics, and medicine; garnet is utilised in the production of abrasive papers; magnetite serves various purposes, including magnets and steel production; ilmenite is a raw material for producing titanium metal, welding rods, and paints; and quartz is essential in the glass industry.
The ‘Institute of Mining, Mineralogy, and Metallurgy’ (IMMM) estimates that the value of these mineral resources in each square kilometre area amounts to Tk 3,630 crore.
Currently, mineral sand extraction along the Brahmaputra River generates approximately Tk 80 crore annually.
However, the potential is much greater if a mineral sand processing centre is established in the Chilmari area, requiring an investment of Tk 1,500 crore.
This facility could process up to 500 metric tonnes of minerals per hour, contributing significantly to economic growth by creating 2,200 jobs over ten years.
The establishment of such a processing centre not only promises economic benefits but also supports socio-economic development in the region, leveraging Bangladesh’s mineral wealth for sustainable growth.
According to sources, 1,500 tonnes of sand were collected from different sand pits in Gaibandha and Kurigram. 2 kg of ilminite, 200 kg of rutile, 400 kg of zircon, 3.8 kg of magnetite, 12 kg of garnet, and 50 kg of quartz minerals are obtained from each tonne of sand following various processes in the mineral processing process.
Researchers say that the market value of minerals obtained from each square kilometre area and 10 metres (30 feet) of depth is Tk 3,630 crore. Government officials are thinking about how to extract and process this resource.
The Institute of Mining, Mineralogy, and Metallurgy at Joypurhat carried out a geophysical survey on all the chars in the Teesta River basin from the entrance to Kurigram to Gaibandha downstream. The institute completed the initial study of any type of mineral in any place from 2010 to 2012. As it is effective, the Prime Minister directed this matter. After this, an ATP project was taken up in 2017.
According to that project, a mineral research institute was established at Joypurhat. By researching here, precious minerals can be found in the Brahmaputra River.
Meanwhile, searching for such treasures in the sands of the Brahmaputra River could change the neglected township of Gaibandha in the north. The economic infrastructure of the region may change. The people of this region seek to improve their fortunes in terms of minerals close to their homes. This is what M. Abdus Salam, Executive Director of Mass Development Centre Gaibandha, said.
He told the media that Brahmaputra was identified as the cause of our suffering during floods. The Brahmaputra is now showing us a new light of hope. We already know that precious minerals are available in this river. “I hope our government will take this precious mineral under their purview and spend that money to establish the people of a backward area like Gaibandha.”
Phulchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jagat Bandhu Mondal said, “According to the conditions, the lessee’s company will lift the minerals and give them to the government. We will take care of these things.”
Meanwhile, despite the existence of precious minerals, sand bandits are still freely extracting sand from different points of the Brahmaputra River. Especially in the Bharatkhali area of the neighbouring upazila Saghata, some influential people have freely lifted the precious sand. Common people demand to stop these now.
