Black Gold

We fail to understand the necessity and justification of such a contract and deal.

We know that in the 1950's our eminent scientist Dr Kudrat-e-Khuda discovered valuable radioactive materials like Rutile, Magnetite, Monazite, Garnet, Elmenite and Zirocon in Cox's Bazar.

Incidentally, and fortunately I found vast deposits of valuable minerals-- Rutile, Magnetite, Monazite, Garnet, Elmenite and Zirocon in Cox's Bazar and surrounding areas in 1970 which I call Black Gold.

In December 1975, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission declared that they had discovered heavy minerals worth Taka five hundred crore in Cox's Bazar. They also claimed to have set up a mineral plant in Cox's Bazar with the help of the Australian government. But so far they have done nothing tangible and fruitful and they have miserably failed to use the valuable minerals economically and commercially.

Over the last three decades, I have left no stone unturned for commercial use and export of the valuable minerals either in the public sector or in the private sector. I met, held meetings and discussions with top level government leaders and high government officials but all in vain. In this connection innumerable reports, articles, letters and editorials have been published in our various national dailies and weeklies from time to time.

As a result, due to carelessness and inefficiency of the authorities concerned valuable minerals worth millions of dollars have been washed away and lost in the sea.

Better late than never. Valuable minerals "Black Gold" is found not only in Cox's Bazar but it is also available is several other costal areas of our country.

I demand of our government to hold a high level coordination meeting of all the agencies concerned-- PMO, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Science, Information Communication and Technology, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Geological Survey of Bangladesh, Bureau of Minerals and Export Promotion Bureau to discuss, review and examine the pros and cons of the situation and to take pragmatic steps immediately for the economic and commercial use of the valuable minerals "Black Gold" in the greater interest of our country.