Rumour of iron mine in Atrai River in Dinajpur
Curious people yesterday walk on a patch of raised ground in the Atrai River in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur district to collect iron, inset, three people take away a stone-like object from the river following a rumour of presence of iron in the riverbed.Photo: STAR
The banks of Atrai River in Khansama upazila under the district sees thronging of curious people from different areas of Dinajpur and adjacent districts as news about the presence of several hills with iron particles in the river spread in the last two weeks. During a visit to the spot on Monday, this correspondent saw people collecting 'stone-like' mud from small hills in the riverbed. Many of them were using magnets, confirming the presence of iron in the mud that is much harder and heavier than usual mud. Such mud and iron particles can be found in a few hills having 'hard to break' rocks with different colours including brownish and black in five kilometre area of Atrai River from Jyontiaghat of Khansama upazila to Dhanirdanga of Kaharol upazila in Dinajpur district, locals said. "The hills have remained unchanged although river current causes erosion in the area," said Anju Ara Begum, 40, a resident on the riverbank at Guliyara village under Bhabki union of Khansama upazila. "When a magnet is moved on the sands of the river, it gets covered with particles of iron," said Md Abdur Razzak, another resident of the area. "Presence of iron particles in the riverbed is now obvious," said Md Shafiqul Islam, chairman of Bhabki union parishad under Khansma upazila, who visited the area several times after hearing the matter about two weeks ago. Showing some collected stone-like mud that is much heavier than that from other areas, Nawsad Hossain, a visitor from Thakurgaon district said, "I could not believe it until I saw it myself." "Primary observation suggests that iron mine may exist in the area. However, extensive tests are needed to ascertain the matter," Dr Shahadat Hossain Khan, professor of soil science department of Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur, said after visiting the spot on Tuesday. Md ATM Ziaul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer of Khansama, said, "We have collected samples after detection of iron particles in the riverbed. It will be sent to different departments for test soon."
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