Dhaka, Sept. 11 -- Production has regained momentum at Bangladesh's only underground hard rock mine in Madhyapara, Parbatipur, after a 52-day shutdown caused by an explosives shortage. The resumption of extraction has also boosted rock sales and raised prospects for higher government revenue.

Rock extraction resumed on July 11 after ammonium nitrate, a key component of the explosives used in underground mining, ran out on May 19. The shortage had brought production to a complete halt.

The mine's production contractor, Germanium-Trust Consortium (GTC), has since increased output, with a monthly production target of around 120,000 tonnes.

A report published on August 25 said production at the mine had reached a record level, while sales ...