Feasibility Study and Scheme of Development
Asia Energy conducted the Feasibility Study and Scheme of Development work for the Project in early 2004. The Company was allowed 24 months to complete the Study but with continued efforts from the local and foreign consultants and the employees of Asia Energy it was completed within 18 months, and the Feasibility Study and Scheme of Development was submitted to the Government on 2 October 2005.
Various technical, environmental and social studies were part of this program. The coal resource of Phulbari was properly defined through these studies and thoroughly assessed all issues relevant to extraction of coal in a viable way. The Study drew the conclusion that there are sufficient amount of high-quality coal in Phulbari which can be extracted by open pit mining method in economically viable and environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
Environmental and social studies
As part of the Feasibility Study environmental and social studies were conducted for the Phulbari Coal Project complying national and international best practice and guidelines. The study includes survey, data collection, consultation, environmental monitoring and special studies. More than 300 Bangladeshi and international professionals were involved in those studies and different Bangladeshi organizations also participated with international organizations.
The EIA/SIA Consultants
SMEC International Pty Ltd – Project management, social assessment, resettlement planning, environmental monitoring, surface water hydrology, hydraulic modelling, GIS, air quality, noise, rehabilitation and visual amenity, water quality, traffic, town planning, mine water balance
GHD Pty Ltd – Resource evaluation, geotechnics, hydrogeology, local and regional infrastructure and transport, data management, geophysics, urban design, ports
MineConsult Pty Ltd– Mine design and planning
QCC Ltd – Coal quality
CEGIS – GIS based land use and ownership database, field hydrology instrumentation and data collection
NACOM – Ecological database and biodiversity field assessments
BCAS – Resettlement Surveys
Health Promotions Ltd – Health impact assessment
IWM – Regional surface water modelling
Dr M.K. Ahmed, Dhaka University – Arsenic in groundwater assessment
Dr N Kamal, Independent University – Demographics
Mr Mannan, Independent University – Anthropology, ethnic minorities
Professor M Hoque, Jahangirnagar University – Archaeology, historical sites
Dr S. Amin, Hazi Danesh Science & Technology University, Dinajpur – Soil science
Professor SMM Rahman, Dhaka University – Socioeconomics
BUET- Water quality testing
ALS Environmental Laboratories- Water quality testing
ICDDR,B – Bacteriological and arsenic testing
BAEC – Airborne particulate matter sample analysis and quality assurance auditing
FUGRO – Surveying
IUCN – Review of biodiversity, legislation review
Major activities undertaken under social and environmental studies
Environmental monitoring (sample collection, analysis, and explanation-weather, air, noise, groundwater, surface water, soil
Surface water modeling
Hydrology and hydrogeology modeling
Water balance
Biodiversity assessment study
Arsenic in groundwater assessment
Socioeconomic benefits study
Archaeology study
Demography study
Anthropology study
Health impact assessment
East Phulbari water supply study
Water supply to affected villages study
Resettlement (town and village) infrastructure planning and land use study
Agricultural study
Coal transport study
Resettlement survey
Demographic and socioeconomic survey
Survey of institutions and infrastructures
Survey of NGOs and Government offices
Town planning survey
Traffic survey
Village checklist survey
Soil survey
Public/community consultation and information dissemination
GIS based land definition and ownership studies
Different reports have been prepared based on these studies and reflected in the summary of Feasibility Study and Scheme of Development.
A number of important environmental and social management plans prepared under the Project:
Mine water management plan
Soil management plan
Air quality management plan
Greenhouse gas management plan
Noise and blasting management plan
Biodiversity management plan
Mine rehabilitation and closure plan
Waste management plan
Hazardous materials management plan
Occupational health and safety plan
Community health and safety plan
Archaeology and culture management plan
Resettlement plan
Indigenous people’s development plan
Public consultation and disclosure plan
Extended new town and relocation village development plan
Environmental and Social study is an ongoing process and will be continued throughout the Project life.