Naogaon: Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), a geoscientific research-based organisation, has started work for exploration of a new coalmine in Tajpur area under Bilasbari union in Badalgachhi upazila of Naogaon, reports UNB.

GSB workers have already completed preparation for digging a test well for mining coal in Tajpur.

GSB authorities said the organisation discovered presence of huge mineral resources in Santahar, Tilokpur, Badalgachhi and Akkelpur area of the district through its geological survey in 2014-15 fiscal year.

GSB sent a proposal to the Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources in January this year for work to confirm the presence of the resources and later the ministry approved the proposal, the sources added.

GSB director general M Nehal Uddin said a 30-member team has been sent to Tajirpur for exploration of the mineral resources of high economic value and collection of layer based data in this regard.

The team will carry out exploration work there for three months after digging a well there, he said.

The team will inform the department concerned if they can confirm existence of coal or any other mineral resources in Tajpur, he added.

Mahirul Islam, deputy director (drilling) of GSB and chief of the exploration team, said they have found more layers of sedimentary rocks through primary test and might get huge mineral resources, including white soil, in the area.

That is why, they will conduct an operation through digging a 4,000 feet deep well, he said.

All has been set for digging the well, he added.

GSB has planned to inaugurate the work for well digging in the third week of the current month, Mahirul Islam said.

GSB officials said the organisation started exploration of mineral recourses in Tajpur after discovery of the coalmine in Dighipara.