Follow-up
Presence of iron ore in Atrai likely, say experts
A scene of raised land containing 'iron-like' hard and heavy soil in Atrai River at Guliyara village in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur district. Inset, a curious person uses magnet to test the presence of iron in the sand collected from the same riverbed. Photo: STAR
Experts of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) and Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur have primarily detected the presence of iron ore in Atrai riverbed at Guliyara village in Khansama upazila under the district. Dr Shahadat Hossain Khan, professor of soil science department of HSTU, engineer Quamruzzaman, managing director (MD) of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL), Mir Mohammad Abdul Hannan, deputy general manager (Geology) of BCMCL, visited the spot on Monday afternoon. The experts, who observed the site for an hour, told this correspondent yesterday that their primary observation suggests presence of iron ore in Atrai riverbed. However, geological survey is required to determine the presence and quantity of iron ore in the riverbed and underground and mark the area, they said. "Our primary observation suggests that the 'iron ore' area is not big," said Dr Shahadat Hossain Khan. Dr Shahadat, who visited the area earlier, collected sample from Atrai riverbed and conducted a laboratory test at HSTU. The test detected presence of iron at the sample. "But we are yet to ascertain the rate of iron ore there," he said. Mir Mohammad Abdul Hannan, a geologist of BCMCL, said, "To me it seems that the iron ore found in the bed of Atrai River was transported with the incoming water flow from places in Nepal and India." BCMCL MD Quamruzzaman said, "The presence of iron ore in the area is obvious. But we need more tests to be sure and to determine the percentage of iron there. I will discuss the matter with officials of Geological Survey of Bangladesh within a few days." Curious people started thronging the area after hearing that 'iron-like' stones were found in the bed of Atrai River three weeks ago.
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