A major state-run hard rock mine operation in Bangladesh is at risk of halting production within weeks as mounting unsold stock threatens to overwhelm storage capacity and strain finances.
Officials say limestone worth around Tk450 crore has accumulated at the Maddhapara mine, with limited domestic demand leaving large volumes idle. The site’s total storage capacity is about 1.57 million tonnes, of which nearly 1.47 million tonnes is already filled.
With average daily production of around 5,500 tonnes, the remaining capacity could be exhausted within 25 days if sales do not increase, officials confirmed.
A senior official at Petrobangla said the hard rock meets required quality standards, but weak demand from key sectors—including power and energy, transport infrastructure and water management—has slowed sales.
The official added that the situation could improve if government agencies—such as the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Public Works Department and Bangladesh Railway—make greater use of domestically produced stone.
“Increased use in public infrastructure projects would help reduce the backlog and strengthen the mine’s financial position,” the official said.
The Maddhapara mine is one of the country’s main sources of limestone, supplying raw materials for construction and industrial use.
Prof A Z M Zahid Hossain, MP and Minister for Social Welfare, has issued several demi-official letters to different ministries, including those overseeing major infrastructure projects, urging immediate measures to utilise the unsold stone.
He noted that various government agencies continue to import stone from India and Bhutan despite the large stockpile at Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Limited.
Petrobangla Director (PSC) Engr Md Shoyeb also said the stone produced at Maddhapara is of satisfactory quality. He added that consistent procurement by government agencies could help the company overcome its current financial challenges and support further development of the mine.
Unless demand improves rapidly, officials warn that a temporary shutdown appears increasingly likely—raising concerns over supply chain disruptions and broader resource management challenges in Bangladesh’s extractive sector.