The country’s only active coal-producing facility, Barapukuria Coal Mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, is now facing a critical operational deadlock as coal extraction continues while the mine’s sole consumer — the Barapukuria 525MW Power Plant — has halted coal intake due to multiple shutdowns.
According to mine officials, production cannot be stopped because of binding contractual obligations with the foreign mining contractor, yet the power plant has completely stopped receiving coal as two units remain non-operational and the 275MW third unit is under major overhauling until January.
As a result, coal has been piling up dangerously inside the mine yards. The Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) has a safe storage capacity of 222,000 metric tonnes, but current stock has reached nearly 440,000 metric tonnes, almost twice the safe limit.
Coal piles have now reached heights of up to 20 metres, three times the normal level, creating a serious risk of spontaneous combustion. Parts of the stockpile caught fire during the previous dry season.
Excessive water spraying used to cool the piles has weakened their structure, increasing the risk of coal slides, which could lead to wall collapse, loss of life, and major structural damage.
PDB has already informed the mine authorities that the power plant will remain shut for at least three months. With no coal intake, the mine is running out of space and time.
Barapukuria Coal Mine Managing Director Abu Taleb Farazi said the rapid accumulation of unused coal is threatening planned production cycles. “There is no alternative now but to sell coal outside. If the ministry approves, we can sell to general buyers as well,” he said.
Experts warn that without urgent government intervention, millions of taka worth of coal may be lost due to fire hazards, while extraction obstacles could push the mine into a severe financial crisis and operational paralysis.
