Sad tale of valuable minerals ‘back-gold' of Cox's Bazar

But unfortunately nothing tangible and of practical value has been done as yet for the development and commercial utilization of the valuable minerals and as such the valuable minerals continue to be lost due to high and low tide of the sea, tidal bores that hit our coastal areas and also on account of green house affect.

It appears that no authority in our country is responsible and accountable for the loss and wastage of valuable minerals worth millions and millions of dollars.

Development, commercial utilization and export of the valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' of Cox's Bazar either in the public sector or in the private sector is a matter of policy decision of our government. But due to apathy of our authorities concerned and lack of decision of our government the valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' has long been neglected and wasted. Further no authority seems to be interested in the development and commercial utilization of the valuable minerals because except a few finger counted persons the people of our country know nothing about valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' of Cox's Bazar.

I am neither a scientist nor a geologist. I happened to pick up something 'peculiar and funny' from the sea beach of Cox's Bazar in the year 1970. Thereafter out of curiosity and my inner urge I carried out an intensive survey and field work for months together. I walked miles and miles on the sea beach and also made journey on fishing boats. I found vast deposits of valuable minerals in various areas. Ever since I have been trying my best for the commercial utilization of the valuable minerals 'Black-Gold' of Cox's Bazar but in vain.

It is interesting to state here that Geological Survey of Bangladesh says it has discovered the minerals in 1960. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission speaks of finding the minerals in 1968. And Bangladesh Scientific Research Council claims that Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda discovered the minerals in 1950's. I consider that the assertion of Scientific Research Council is correct. Sometime they say that the development and commercial utilization of the minerals is not economically feasible and sometime they say that the minerals are economically viable but it involves colossal capital investment and foreign aid.

My 'know how' and practical experiences say that we do not need any colossal capital investment and foreign aid in the beginning. We may move forward step by step, slowly but steadily. My contention is that if we can earn crores of Taka by producing salt and shrimp cultivation in the coastal areas why can't our poor, needy and unemployed people earn money from the valuable minerals?