DINAJPUR: Barapukuria coalmine resumed operation Sunday after a three-month-long halt following an accident in its gorge that left one man killed and over a dozen injured.

Managing Director of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) Md Quamruzzaman told Banglanews24.com.bd that coal production started at around 8am in the first shift.

“The coal is being extracted from the mine as before the suspension,” he added.

They started with a target of extracting almost 2500 metric tonnes of coal a day as per the suggestion of the Chinese authorities running the mine, he said.

Rabiul Islam, President of Barapukuria coalmine workers union, said, “Some 400 miners started mining in the first phase. A total of 1200 miners will work in three shifts a day.”

Meanwhile, 37 blasts were conducted inside the mine to test against any kind of risk for coal production.

On May 11, at least one person was killed and 20 were wounded, including a Chinese labourer, during an accident in phase no-1108 in the mine, halting the coal production.

BDST: 11551 HRS, AUG 15, 2010