The Geological Survey of Bangladesh aims to identify and assess the economic value of strategic minerals in Bangladesh’s river sand.
“We will conduct a study of the sediments in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river systems to determine the value of minerals in river sand,” Geological Survey Director General Md Nehal Uddin told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“Previous studies have found a considerable amount of heavy metals like uranium and monazite in Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna sand.
“Uranium is a nuclear fuel. Uranium and monazite are used in nuclear power plants, energy and military weapons,” he added.
The main objective of the project is to assess the extent, reserve, mode of occurrence and economic viability of mineral sand in the river.
“Among the strategic minerals to be found in the river basins are those that are important to the nation’s economy, do not have many replacements but primarily come from foreign countries,” Nehal said.
“We want to identify the minerals present, quantify the total reserve of sand deposits, determine the quality of the minerals present and assess market demand,” Nehal said.
The study will be conducted at a depth of 30 meters, he said.
Another objective is to conduct a detailed geological exploration to develop a basic database on the mineralogical and elemental composition of river sand in the GBM basin.
On January 19, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk35.63 crore for the study.
The Geological Survey, under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, will implement the project.
The project site will include Greater Mymensingh, Tangail, Sylhet, Dhaka, Comilla, Noakhali, Chittagong and Bhola districts.