The coal mine at Habrang in SamdrupJongkhar is set to prematurely shut down by the end of this month. This is due to declining coal reserve. The Public Accounts Committee informed this at the Joint Sitting of the Parliament today.
The Habrang coal mine spans an area of over 100 acres. The State Mining Corporation has been digging coal here since 2016.
This is the first coal mine leased by the corporation from the department of geology and mines for 10 years.
While the demand has been increasing over the years, the coal reserve at Habrang is depleting. Production has been steadily decreasing since 2019.
Dungsam Cement, Penden Cement, Lhakyi Cement and Army Welfare Project are the main buyers. However, the corporation is unable to meet the demand, even for Dungsam Cement and Penden Cement. But, the coal extraction will continue till the end of this month. Sources say further digging will make the site unstable.
The coal mine at Habrang had a geological reserve of 285,993.75 MT, of which 243,757.93 MT was deemed mineable, and the corporation has successfully mined 226,458.69 MT so far.
Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee said the country’s coal quality is also poor.
“We know that our coal quality is not good. It has a large proportion of ash content. 40 per cent of our coal has ash content in it. Coal from India has good coal with less than five per cent ash content,” said Phuntsho Rapten, Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee.
The Green Bhutan Corporation is set to begin restoration works at the site this month. It is going to cost nearly Nu 11 M.
Sources say the restoration plan is being reviewed.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
