The proposed project came to a halt just before launch in 2006 following protests from the locals and subsequently people of the country, who protested the drive realising adverse loss.

If implemented, it would have caused a huge loss of livelihoods, lands, and the overall environment of the area.

On Aug 26, 2006, at least three people were killed and more than a hundred were injured when the BDR members opened fire at the agitating protesters, on the third day of a strike.

Following the killings and strikes, the then BNP-Jamaat-led four-party alliance government on Aug 30 signed a six-point agreement.

Banning open-cut mining, withdrawing Asia Energy from Bangladesh and cancelling all contracts with the company were the key demands alongside compensation for the people killed and those injured, and vandalism of property.

The then-opposition leader and present prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, visited the area on Aug 30 and echoed the protestors of open-cut mining.

She vowed to materialise the demands once in power and said that open-cut mining would never be implemented at Phulbari.

The company, however, still holds their operation as the contracts were not cancelled.

They are currently considered the most potential contractor for the Phulbari project.

The government in recent days has been showing urgency for the immediate extraction of coal for more power production in the wake of easing the nagging power crisis.

In this regard, the proposed coal policy, to be formulated, will have a provision to launch an experimental open-pit project at Barapukuria.

The prime minister, concerned ministry officials and parliamentary watchdog committee have already endorsed the plan, which was first proposed during the military-backed caretaker government in 2008.

At this point, the Phulbari chairman suggested trying other methods for the experimental project at Barapukuria and obviously for the upcoming mines.

Experts opposing the anti-open-cut mining have recommended the coal gasification method, or any other modern method, to avoid the exclusion of local people and loss of nature and the environment.

IS IT THAT URGENT?

Government officials during different terms echoed Asia Energy’s explanation on open-cut mining, “it is economical”, as around 80-90 percent of a deposit could be extracted in this method.

And they have been saying that the additional coal production will significantly develop

According to the government’s five-year plan to add around 9000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, only three coal-run plants are expected to be installed, whereas the total number is 62.

The three coal-run power plants, having a total capacity of 2,725MW, would not require as much coal as another mine needs to be launched.

The plants are expected to be operational by 2015.

Currently, the 250MW coal-fired plant at Barapukuria with the fuel from the adjacent mine would possibly run for more than 30 years. The plant consumes 60-70 percent of total production.