Bangladesh

Bangladesh does not have a significant history in terms of mining activities. The only notable mineral resource found in the country is natural gas. In the 1950s, geological surveys conducted by international organizations identified the presence of natural gas reserves in Bangladesh. The first natural gas field was discovered in 1955 at Haripur in Sylhet district. Commercial production of natural gas began in 1960 from this field. Since then, several other fields have been discovered, and Bangladesh has become a significant natural gas producer in South Asia.

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Apart from natural gas, Bangladesh has limited reserves of coal, limestone, and hard rock. However, these resources have not been adequately exploited due to various geological, economic, and political reasons. Moreover, the mining industry has not been a priority sector in Bangladesh's development plans. Therefore, the mining sector remains underdeveloped, and the country depends heavily on imports of various minerals and metals. The lack of adequate exploration and exploitation of mineral resources is considered a critical bottleneck in Bangladesh's economic growth and development.