The Phulbari Coal Project located in north-west Bangladesh is operated by Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh), a subsidiary of UK listed Asia Energy.

Following more than six months intensive field work an Initial Environmental Evaluation document, prepared by environmental consultants, SMEC International, was submitted to the authorities.

“Asia Energy has now fulfilled an important environmental milestone in the Phulbari Coal Project feasibility study,” Asia Energy’s joint managing director David Lenigas said.

The company aims to submit its full Environmental Impact Assessment report by the middle of the year, and to provide the Government of Bangladesh with a Mining Scheme for approval later this year.

Meanwhile, the project general manager Gary Lye has been appointed head of the Bangladesh operations. Lye has worked with the Phulbari project based in Dhaka for the past 12 months, and the Company said his promotion was in line with moving the Project to the next phase of development.