May 11 Barapukuria Coal Mine Mishap
Production suspension for 47 days costs Tk 127cr
Coal production of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur has remained suspended for 47 days since the May 11 accident that claimed life of a miner and injured 18 others.
The unusual production suspension following underground roof collapse at coal Phase 1108 has caused loss of about Tk 127 crore, BCMCL sources said, adding that Tk 2.7 crore is added to the loss daily due to the situation.
According to the suggestion of five Chinese experts who came to examine the accident spot on May 20, 15 to 20 days more will be needed to fix the underground problems, said a BCMCL official seeking anonymity.
Contacted, BCMCL Managing Director Md Quamruzzaman said restart of coal production from Phase 1108 depends on the experts' decision after examination of the plants and their risk factors and precautionary measures.
Thirty-two miners including three Chinese people were in 1240-foot-deep underground when the accident occurred at 10:10am on May 11 at coalmine Phase 1108, some 800metres off the entry point, BCMCL sources said.
One person was killed and 18 others were injured while 13 miners including a Chinese managed to escape unhurt.
As the roof of Phase 1108 collapsed, serious jolt was felt at Gigagari village, villagers said.
After examining the spot, the Chinese experts suggested that BCMCL authority take some safety measures including the roadway protection at Phase 1108, sources said.
Meanwhile, two German consultants hired by International Mining Consultants Group Consulting Ltd (IMCGCL), a consultant of company of BCMCL, arrived at the mine site on June 20.
They visited the accident spot and examined the suggestions of Chinese experts. They will hold a meeting with BCMCL experts by Thursday and give guidelines.
The meeting will decide coal production from Phase 1108 after having the precautionary safety measures, sources said.
The Phase 1108 with 2.48 lakh tonnes of coal was developed last year. Of the amount, 1.29 lakh tonnes of coal was extracted from February this year to May 10 midnight, sources said.
About 1,19 lakh tonnes of coal remained trapped inside since the accident took place on May 11, much to the concern for the BCMCL authorities.
"Mine exposed to air for long period can lead to more technical problems including gas leakage and fire incident in underground. Coal production from phase 1108 should restart as early as possible to avert accident," said a BCMCL official seeking anonymity.
Contacted, a few high officials of BCMCL declined to comment on the issue.
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