Magnetic rock reserve found in country
The first-time finding beckons hope for iron industry
A reserve of magnetic rock used to produce iron has been found at Makshidpur of Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur for the first time in Bangladesh, says the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB).
Apart from the magnetic rock reserve, the GSB has also found a 10-feet thick layer of limestone during an exploration under the second phase of a geo-scientific project for mineral resources.
We have found three layers of magnetic rock each 1 metre thick at a depth between 1,888 feet and 2,113 feet below the surface, GSB Director General Sirajur Rahman Khan yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune.
The first layer of magnetic rock was found at 1,888 feet below the surface, the second at 1,987 feet below and the third at 2,100 feet below, he said.
The layer of limestone, which is 10 feet thick, was found at 1,188 feet below the surface, the GSB DG said.
The total amount of the reserve can be determined after analysing the primary findings of magnetic rock and limestone, said Siraj, adding: Digging was finished on May 28 and the geophysical borehole logging was officially called off today.
Hakimpur project Director Md Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune: We detected limestone at 1,188 feet below the surface; after digging further up to 1,367 feet, we touched hard rock where we found the magnetic rock layer.
Whether this magnetic rock will be economically viable or not could be ascertained after analysing the primary findings and after a feasibility study.
Nehal said although foreign consultants were usually brought in to do feasibility surveys for mines, the GSB officials were capable of doing it themselves.
The geological team started digging the borehole at Makshidpur of Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur on March 22, he added.
The countrys demand for iron mainly depends on the 70%-80% iron ore obtained from the ship-breaking sector. Approximately 450 re-rolling mills and 25 steel mills across the country use the iron ore.
If the magnetic rock reserve becomes economically viable, it will greatly benefit the rerolling and steel mills.
In June 2012, the GSB announced the discovery of a huge reserve of limestone and white clay at Panchbibi of Joypurhat. But a feasibility study later found that it was not economically viable. Subsequently, the project was cancelled.
Previously, two more limestone reserves were found at Jamalganj in Joypurhat and Tekerhat in Sunamganj, but those projects were found to be unprofitable.
White clay was found in Netrakona and Sherpur, but it is barely used to make local ceramic products.
Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune that the geo-scientific project for mineral investigation was part of a three-year programme for the development of mineral resources at a cost of Tk59.6m. The project started in July 2011 and is expected to end in June 2014.
Magnetic rock reserve found in country | Dhaka Tribune
The first-time finding beckons hope for iron industry
A reserve of magnetic rock used to produce iron has been found at Makshidpur of Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur for the first time in Bangladesh, says the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB).
Apart from the magnetic rock reserve, the GSB has also found a 10-feet thick layer of limestone during an exploration under the second phase of a geo-scientific project for mineral resources.
We have found three layers of magnetic rock each 1 metre thick at a depth between 1,888 feet and 2,113 feet below the surface, GSB Director General Sirajur Rahman Khan yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune.
The first layer of magnetic rock was found at 1,888 feet below the surface, the second at 1,987 feet below and the third at 2,100 feet below, he said.
The layer of limestone, which is 10 feet thick, was found at 1,188 feet below the surface, the GSB DG said.
The total amount of the reserve can be determined after analysing the primary findings of magnetic rock and limestone, said Siraj, adding: Digging was finished on May 28 and the geophysical borehole logging was officially called off today.
Hakimpur project Director Md Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune: We detected limestone at 1,188 feet below the surface; after digging further up to 1,367 feet, we touched hard rock where we found the magnetic rock layer.
Whether this magnetic rock will be economically viable or not could be ascertained after analysing the primary findings and after a feasibility study.
Nehal said although foreign consultants were usually brought in to do feasibility surveys for mines, the GSB officials were capable of doing it themselves.
The geological team started digging the borehole at Makshidpur of Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur on March 22, he added.
The countrys demand for iron mainly depends on the 70%-80% iron ore obtained from the ship-breaking sector. Approximately 450 re-rolling mills and 25 steel mills across the country use the iron ore.
If the magnetic rock reserve becomes economically viable, it will greatly benefit the rerolling and steel mills.
In June 2012, the GSB announced the discovery of a huge reserve of limestone and white clay at Panchbibi of Joypurhat. But a feasibility study later found that it was not economically viable. Subsequently, the project was cancelled.
Previously, two more limestone reserves were found at Jamalganj in Joypurhat and Tekerhat in Sunamganj, but those projects were found to be unprofitable.
White clay was found in Netrakona and Sherpur, but it is barely used to make local ceramic products.
Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune that the geo-scientific project for mineral investigation was part of a three-year programme for the development of mineral resources at a cost of Tk59.6m. The project started in July 2011 and is expected to end in June 2014.
Magnetic rock reserve found in country | Dhaka Tribune
