DINAJPUR: Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) discovered the country’s first magnetic mine or iron ore at Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur.

GSB officials confirmed the matter on Tuesday (June 18) following 2 months of drilling.

GSB officials said a 400-foot thick iron layer was discovered at a depth of 1,750 feet and the layer stretches over an area of 6-10 square kilometers.

GSB’s Deputy Director Mohammad Masum said: “The percentage of iron in the mine is 65 while that in most other mines elsewhere in the world it is below 50.”

According to gemologists, currently only five countries – Brazil, the United States, Canada, Sweden and Australia – mine the magnetite iron ore.

The geologist said the Hakimpur mine also appeared to be a source of copper, nickel and chromium and limestone at a depth of 1150 feet.

The GSB started drilling well after taking 50 decimals of land on lease for four months at Tk 45,000 from farmer Ishaque Ali of Isabpur village, 11 kilometers off the upazila headquarters.

BDST: 2045 HRS, JUNE 18, 2019

AH