Madhyapara Granite Mine Resumes Stone Extraction After Two-Month Suspension

Stone extraction has resumed at Bangladesh's Madhyapara Granite Mine after nearly two months of suspension caused by a shortage of ammonium nitrate, the explosive material used for underground mining operations.

Production restarted at full capacity on Saturday after fresh supplies of ammonium nitrate reached the mine, according to officials.

Managing Director of Madhyapara Granite Mining Company Limited (MGMCL), Md. Amzad Hossain, confirmed that mining operations had remained suspended since May 19 after the mine exhausted its stock of ammonium nitrate.

He said the company recently received 88 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate, enough to support stone extraction for approximately two and a half months. The mine has requested a total of 300 metric tonnes of the explosive, with the remaining supply expected to arrive in phases.

According to mine officials, delays in the supply of explosives have disrupted operations several times in recent years.

Production was also suspended in 2022 and 2025 due to similar shortages. Earlier shutdowns occurred for 22 days in 2014, nearly two months in 2015, and seven days in 2018, highlighting the mine's dependence on a steady supply of explosives.

The Madhyapara Granite Mining Company Limited began commercial production on May 25, 2007, making it Bangladesh's only underground hard-rock mine.

The project initially struggled to meet production targets and incurred financial losses. However, operations improved after Germania Trust Consortium (GTC) took over mining activities under a contractual agreement and introduced a three-shift production system.

The mine currently produces around 5,500 metric tonnes of stone per day. However, any disruption in the supply of explosives immediately affects production and the financial performance of both the mining company and its operating contractor.

The Madhyapara mine currently employs around 750 workers.

Mine authorities said they have taken steps to ensure a more reliable supply of explosives in the future to prevent further production interruptions and maintain uninterrupted mining operations.