Conspiracy Alleged to Close Barapukuria Coal Mine

Workers and employees of Bangladesh’s only fully operational coal mine, Barapukuria, have raised serious allegations of a calculated conspiracy aimed at shutting down the facility. According to the workforce, despite sufficient coal reserves, sales have been deliberately restricted, and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has been compelled to purchase coal at prices far below market value. This, they claim, is an orchestrated effort to render the mine financially unviable. If the situation continues, nearly 25,000 families dependent on the mine for their livelihood could face severe economic hardship.

The allegations were made during a press conference held inside the mine last Monday, organised by the Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Limited Workers’ Union. Union President Abul Kashem Shikdar, General Secretary Jahangir Alam, and other leaders attended and voiced their concerns.

The union leaders accused several officials of the BPDB of manipulating the mine’s board of directors to deliberately undermine its operations. The workers have demanded the immediate removal of the BPDB chairman along with two controversial officials. They warned that failure to address these demands could trigger road and railway blockades and other forms of protest.

According to the union, Barapukuria has been commercially successful since its launch in 2005. Unlike many state-run enterprises operating at a loss, the mine has remained profitable, contributing nearly BDT 5,500 crore in VAT, taxes, and royalties to the national treasury, and repeatedly winning awards for being a top taxpayer.

Current operational challenges are severe. The coal yard, designed to hold 220,000 tonnes, now contains over 500,000 tonnes, with coal piles reaching 50 feet in height—far exceeding the safe limit of 15 feet. This has already resulted in wall collapses and fire hazards. With the thermal power plant offline, the coal cannot be used domestically, and alternative sales are not permitted. Unless the excess coal is moved, further production may need to be halted.

Financial data shared by mine management indicates:

K M Rajibul Alam, General Manager of the mine, noted that production is being disrupted due to the double-capacity coal stockpile, though any sale of coal requires ministry approval. Abu Bakar Siddique, Chief Engineer of the thermal power plant, confirmed that the opening of the plant’s third unit in March would allow these reserves to be utilised, mitigating the crisis.

Workers and officials alike fear that the artificially induced losses could be used as a pretext to permanently close the Barapukuria mine, threatening the livelihoods of thousands and the nation’s energy security.