coal mining in bangladesh
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Open Pit Coal Mining inOpen Pit Coal Mining in
Bangladesh: Lessons fromBangladesh: Lessons from
Pennsylvania, USAPennsylvania, USAMd. Khalequzzaman, Ph.D.Md. Khalequzzaman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & ChairAssociate Professor & ChairDept. of Geology & PhysicsDept. of Geology & Physics
Lock Haven UniversityLock Haven University
Lock Haven, PA 17745, USALock Haven, PA 17745, USA
www.lhup.eduwww.lhup.edu/mkhalequ/mkhalequ
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Factoids About CoalFactoids About Coal
Coal forms from compaction andCoal forms from compaction and indurationinduration ofof
variously altered plant remains similar to thosevariously altered plant remains similar to thoseof peat deposits.of peat deposits.
The plant remains that turn into coal overThe plant remains that turn into coal over
millions of years were deposited in variousmillions of years were deposited in variousenvironments: floodplain, coastal plain, delta,environments: floodplain, coastal plain, delta,
estuary, etc. as sedimentary rocks similar to theestuary, etc. as sedimentary rocks similar to the
SundarbanSundarban or land forests.or land forests.
Reducing environment of coal deposition alsoReducing environment of coal deposition also
contains other iron (and other metals) minerals.contains other iron (and other metals) minerals.
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Depositional Models for CoalDepositional Models for Coal
Bangladesh Model
Pennsylvania Model
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CoalCoalThe Dirty FuelThe Dirty Fuel
Coal is a very important but dirty fossil fuelCoal is a very important but dirty fossil fuel
Coal mining has severe environmental,Coal mining has severe environmental,ecological, humanecological, human--health consequences.health consequences.
If not done properly, coal mining has potential toIf not done properly, coal mining has potential to
damage landscape, soils, surface water,damage landscape, soils, surface water,groundwater, air during all phases of explorationgroundwater, air during all phases of exploration
and use.and use.
Coal mining has some unavoidable negativeCoal mining has some unavoidable negative
impacts on humans and the environment.impacts on humans and the environment.
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Facts about Coal DepositsFacts about Coal Deposits
Most coal deposits contain pyrite (FeSMost coal deposits contain pyrite (FeS22))
arsenopyritearsenopyrite and other sulfide minerals.and other sulfide minerals.
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Facts about Coal Deposits (ContFacts about Coal Deposits (Contd)d)
Coal mining creates huge amounts of refuse or spoil
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Acid Mine Drainage ProductsAcid Mine Drainage Products
4FeS4FeS22 +15O+15O22 +14H+14H22OO 4 Fe(OH)4 Fe(OH)33 + 8(SO+ 8(SO44))--22 + 16 H+ 16 H++
Pyrite + Oxygen + Water =Pyrite + Oxygen + Water = Yellow BoyYellow Boy ++ AcidAcid ++ SulfateSulfate
Release of H+ lowers pH values below 7 => generatesRelease of H+ lowers pH values below 7 => generatesacidic runacidic run--off and groundwater discharge => undrinkableoff and groundwater discharge => undrinkable
& uninhabitable& uninhabitable Yellow BoyYellow Boy smothers flora and fauna on riverbedsmothers flora and fauna on riverbed
Acidic water also releases other metals (Al,Acidic water also releases other metals (Al, MnMn, As,, As, CdCd,,
Zn, etc.) into surface water and groundwater.Zn, etc.) into surface water and groundwater. Once introduced, may take decades and $millions to improveOnce introduced, may take decades and $millions to improve
degradation on land, water, ecosystems, and health.degradation on land, water, ecosystems, and health.
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Pennsylvania ExperiencePennsylvania Experience
One of the largest coal deposits in the US; hasOne of the largest coal deposits in the US; has
been mining since 1760.been mining since 1760.
PA is the 4PA is the 4thth largest producer in the US.largest producer in the US.
Coal was driving force behind industrializationCoal was driving force behind industrialization
and power generation.and power generation.
Left a legacy of devastation by AMD and spoil.Left a legacy of devastation by AMD and spoil.
There wasnThere wasnt much environmental regulationt much environmental regulationuntil 1937, and mainly during 1970until 1937, and mainly during 1970--90s (some90s (some
of which will be listed later).of which will be listed later).
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Extent of AMD Problem in PAExtent of AMD Problem in PA
Coal Deposits in PA
Water Quality in PAfollowing Coal Mining- NoFish in Rivers & Stream
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PA RealityPA Reality
AMD Affected Streamin PA is the Number 1Cause of Pollution
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AMD PhenomenaAMD Phenomena
The Kill Zone in AMD Affected Areas
AMD smothered plants on riverbeds
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Issues onIssues on exposure assessment sideexposure assessment side
Source:Source: Public water supplyPublic water supply
Private well waterPrivate well water
Recreational waterRecreational water
Contaminants:Contaminants:
AMD / metalsAMD / metals
Infectious (Infectious (GiardiaGiardia))
THMsTHMs
PesticidesPesticides
ArsenicArsenic
RadonRadon
From Trout Unlimited DocumentCourtesy: Steve Browning, 2005
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The West Branch of the Susquehanna River, PA
Covers an a rea o f 7 ,000 squar e m i les
An un f o r t u na t e l egacy : Hist o r i c un r egu la t ed m in ing
5 7 % o f t h e p o l l u t i o n i s a b an d o n e d m i n e d r ai n ag e ( A MD)
More t han 1 ,000 m i l es of m a in st em and t r i bu t a r i es have si gn i f i can t AMD
2 4 % o f t h e p o l l u t i o n i s n u t r i en t a n d ag r i cu l t u r a l r u n o f f
Courtesy: SteveBrowning, 2005
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Shamokin Creek, West Branch Watershed, PA
Iron : 1200-29,000 ug/LSulfates: 700-800 mg/L
pH: 2-3.5Aluminum: 1700 ug/LManganese: 2890 ug/L
Photos courtesy ofDr. Carl Kirby, Bucknell
Water quality in a stream 13
miles below mining area
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AmericaAmericas Most Endangereds Most Endangered
Rivers of 2005.Rivers of 2005.
Courtesy: SteveBrowning, 2005
Pennsylvania
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After the FactAfter the Factin PA & USAin PA & USA
AMD treatment (active and passive) isAMD treatment (active and passive) is
very expensive and time consuming andvery expensive and time consuming andsome will never get done.some will never get done. In PA alone, 250,000 acres of mined areaIn PA alone, 250,000 acres of mined area
Pa spent $650 mill. as Growing GreenerPa spent $650 mill. as Growing GreenerGrants, most of which on AMD issues.Grants, most of which on AMD issues.
Local watershed groups are involvedLocal watershed groups are involved
FluidizedFluidized--bed Combustion & Coalbed Combustion & CoalGasification are being used.Gasification are being used.
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Environmental Regulations in PA & USAEnvironmental Regulations in PA & USA
Act 375 of PA in 1913: Not to discharge coalAct 375 of PA in 1913: Not to discharge coalrefuse in streamsrefuse in streams
The Clean Stream Law of 1937The Clean Stream Law of 1937 The Surface Mining Conservation &The Surface Mining Conservation &
Reclamation Act of 1945Reclamation Act of 1945
The Coal Refuse Disposal Act of 1960The Coal Refuse Disposal Act of 1960 PA Surface Mining Law of 1968PA Surface Mining Law of 1968
Coal Mining Safety & Health Act of 1968Coal Mining Safety & Health Act of 1968
The Clean Water & Air Act of 1970 & 1990The Clean Water & Air Act of 1970 & 1990 Surface Mining Conservation & ReclamationSurface Mining Conservation & Reclamation
Act of 1982 & 1996Act of 1982 & 1996
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Examples of Passive TreatmentExamples of Passive Treatment
AMD T Pl
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AMD Treatment PlantsAMD Treatment Plants
Cost = $150,000-200,000 per plant
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AMD Treatment ChemistryAMD Treatment Chemistry
2H2H++ + CaCO+ CaCO33 = Ca= Ca+2+2 +CO+CO22 + H+ H22OO
Acid + Limestone = Calcium + COAcid + Limestone = Calcium + CO22 + water+ water Ca(OH)Ca(OH)22 + 2H+ 2H
++ = Ca= Ca+2+2 + 2H+ 2H22OO
Lime + Acid = Calcium + waterLime + Acid = Calcium + water
CHCH22O + 4 Fe(OH)O + 4 Fe(OH)33 +8H+8H++ = 4Fe= 4Fe+2+2 + CO+ CO22 + 11H+ 11H22OO Organics + Yellow Boy + Acid = Iron +COOrganics + Yellow Boy + Acid = Iron +CO22 + Water+ Water
2CH2CH22O + SOO + SO
44
--22 = H= H22S + 2HCOS + 2HCO
33
--
Organics + Sulfate = Hydrogen sulfide + biOrganics + Sulfate = Hydrogen sulfide + bi--carbonate alkalinitycarbonate alkalinity
These reactions have unwanted byproductsThese reactions have unwanted byproducts
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Locations of Coals in BangladeshLocations of Coals in Bangladesh
Source: Gourdji, et al., 2005
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Coal Deposits in BangladeshCoal Deposits in Bangladesh
The amount of discovered coal is very smallThe amount of discovered coal is very small
So far less than 1,500 million tons (Mt) foundSo far less than 1,500 million tons (Mt) found By comparison, India has 197 billion tons (Bt)By comparison, India has 197 billion tons (Bt)
There are about 400There are about 400--500 Mt coal in Phulbari500 Mt coal in Phulbari AEC plans to mine 1.5AEC plans to mine 1.5--15 Mt/year from 200915 Mt/year from 2009
Other fields have over 1000 MtOther fields have over 1000 Mt
BangladeshBangladeshs coal is over 245s coal is over 245--286286 m.ym.y. old. old
Coal was deposited in swampy environmentsCoal was deposited in swampy environments
Source: http://minerals.usgs.gov; http://banglapedia.search.com.bd
http://minerals.usgs.gov/http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/http://minerals.usgs.gov/ -
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Phulbari Open Pit Coal MiningPhulbari Open Pit Coal Mining
Asia Energy Corporation owns the fieldAsia Energy Corporation owns the field
Will start production in 2009 for 30 yearsWill start production in 2009 for 30 years Spent $18 Million for EIA and got clearanceSpent $18 Million for EIA and got clearance
Will displace 50,000 peopleWill displace 50,000 people
Mining area will cover 6.5 sq. kmMining area will cover 6.5 sq. km Depth of coal deposit is 130Depth of coal deposit is 130--300 m300 m
1,200 pumping wells with 61,200 pumping wells with 6--700,000 L/day700,000 L/day AEC will generate TK. 144,000AEC will generate TK. 144,000 crorescrores
GOB will receive about TK. 9,000GOB will receive about TK. 9,000 crorescrores
Source: The English Dailies in Bangladesh
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Without Public Access to the Mining PlanWithout Public Access to the Mining Plan
These Questions Beg for AnswersThese Questions Beg for Answers What is the mining and operational plan like?What is the mining and operational plan like?
Will the plan be open for public debate?Will the plan be open for public debate? What rehabilitation plan do they propose?What rehabilitation plan do they propose?
Is the plan acceptable to affected people?Is the plan acceptable to affected people?
How will the affected people be compensated?How will the affected people be compensated?
How will AEC contain/remediate theHow will AEC contain/remediate the
spoil/refuse?spoil/refuse? What treatment plan do they have for potentialWhat treatment plan do they have for potential
AMD and degradation of the environment?AMD and degradation of the environment?
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More QuestionsMore QuestionsNeed AnswersNeed Answers
If a country like USA cannot escape theIf a country like USA cannot escape the
damage to the environment and hugedamage to the environment and hugecost to the society, then what assurancecost to the society, then what assuranceAEC will have for the people ofAEC will have for the people of
Bangladesh in general and Phulbari inBangladesh in general and Phulbari inparticular?particular?
What environmental regulations, acts,What environmental regulations, acts,and laws the GOB has with regard toand laws the GOB has with regard tocoal mining and clean watercoal mining and clean water--air toair to
protect our environment, ecosystems,protect our environment, ecosystems,and peopleand peoples health?s health?
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Who will monitor compliance to laws, andWho will monitor compliance to laws, andhow reliable are those enforcement going tohow reliable are those enforcement going tobe?be?
For how long will the AEC be accountable toFor how long will the AEC be accountable to
the GOB for their operation?the GOB for their operation? Will there be any bond money escrowed awayWill there be any bond money escrowed away
to cover uncompensated damage by AEC?to cover uncompensated damage by AEC?
Have the AEC looked into all alternatives, andHave the AEC looked into all alternatives, andcost/benefit analysis in the context of longcost/benefit analysis in the context of long--term damage to the environment andterm damage to the environment and
ecosystem?ecosystem?
More QuestionsMore QuestionsNeed AnswersNeed Answers
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Thank you for your time and attention!