The Bangladesh Councl of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Everlast Minerals Limited (EML), an Australian mining company, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation.

The signing ceremony was held at the BCSIR auditorium, where Md Aftab Ali Sheikh, chairman of the BCSIR, and Paul Quin, chairman of EML, were present.

The purpose of the MoU is to explore and ensure quality testing of heavy mineral sands in various rivers and beaches of the country. It will remain in force till December 20, 2024, according to the organisers.

Besides, it will help to exchange assistance in uninterrupted use of laboratories, skilled manpower, and research equipment, they said.

Nazim Zaman, director of the Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM) under the BCSIR, said they found that 2,000 tonnes of ilmenite, 400 tonnes of rutile, 600 tonnes of zircon, 3,500-4000 tonnes of magnetite, 5000-15,000 tonnes garnets and 50,000 tonnes quartz can be separated from processing 10 lakh cubic metres of sand.

"Now, Bangladesh is earning only Tk 8 crore by selling sand for construction work," he added.

Zaman then said that after getting the EML company's machinery support, Bangladesh can export the heavy minerals after meeting local demand.

At the event, Md Baharul Alam Biswas, general manager of EML, gave a brief presentation on their machinery support for mining in the country.