Bangladesh resumes exploration at Pirganj iron ore site after 60 years

Bangladesh has restarted exploration at its first identified potential iron ore deposit in Rangpur‍‍`s Pirganj upazila, reviving a project that remained inactive for nearly six decades.

The renewed exploration programme was formally inaugurated by Mohammad Saiful Islam, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, at Velamari Pathar in Chhota Paharpur village under Sanerhat Union.

The Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) is leading the latest drilling campaign at a new borehole, designated GDH-79/25, to assess the area‍‍`s mineral potential.

Officials said the site was first identified in 1965 by the then Pakistan government‍‍`s Mineral Resources Department. At the time, geologists surveyed an area of about six square kilometres and drilled four exploratory wells before the work was halted. Some of the original concrete well markers are still visible.

Although the area was recognised as a possible iron ore deposit, no major exploration activities were carried out for decades despite repeated discussions on developing the resource.

Speaking at the inauguration, Saiful Islam described the project as a significant milestone in the country‍‍`s efforts to identify and utilise domestic mineral resources.

"The government will extend all necessary support to explore and, if feasible, extract the mineral resources found here. This initiative fulfils a long-standing national aspiration," he said.

GSB Director General Abdul Mannan and Deputy Director General Ali Akbar also attended the event.

Akbar said previous exploration had produced encouraging geological findings. Besides the pre-independence well EDS-15, another exploratory well, GDH-54, was drilled in 2000, while drilling at GDH-78/23 in Kashimpur in 2023 also indicated the possible presence of valuable minerals.

He said the current programme aims to drill to a depth of 1,200 metres this year.

According to GSB, the region‍‍`s geological structure suggests the possible presence of metallic minerals such as iron, copper, nickel and manganese, while gold cannot be ruled out.

However, officials stressed that the commercial viability of any mining project will depend on the outcome of the ongoing exploration and a detailed assessment of the quantity and quality of mineral reserves.