Barapukuria Coal Mine, the only active coal mine in Bangladesh, is operated by Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of the state-owned Petrobangla. Located in Parbatipur Upazila of Dinajpur, this mine plays a crucial role in the country's energy sector. Historically, coal trade in the region dates back to the British colonial period, when coal from Meghalaya's Garo Hills was transported via East Bengal with support from the British railway network. The discovery of coal resources in Bangladesh began with the UN-Pak Mineral Survey Project in 1961, which led to the finding of 1.05 million tons of coal in Jamalganj, Sunamganj, in 1962. Subsequent discoveries include deposits in Dinajpur (1985), Khalashpir in Rangpur (1989), Dighipara (1995), and Phulbari (1997), the latter found by the multinational company BHP. Despite an estimated 2 billion tonnes of coal reserves in the northwest region, environmental and social concerns persist, as local residents near Barapukuria have reported structural damage to homes and the drying up of water bodies, prompting government land acquisition in the affected areas.
