Meghalaya to soon start scientific mining of coal

SHILLONG, MAY 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday informed that scientific mining of coal will start very soon in the state.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said, “I am happy to inform that about a week or 10 days back, Government of India has approved the mining leases to four miners. Hence, we have overcome the largest hurdles that we had for the process of scientific mining and legal mining to start in the state.”

“Therefore, now once we have the public hearing and the forest clearance and mining plan approved which are procedural aspects, which we would expect anything between 20-45 days these approvals will be done then the green signals for starting of scientific mining is through and hence this are major steps where we will finally see and move towards the aspects of scientific mining,” he said.

He said, “Of course, the actual implementation will have to be done then by the respective miners on the technology to be implemented as per the mining plan but my point is that the moment the lease was given, that is very important step as after that as I said we have crossed the most difficult hurdles and now we are on our way to see the process of scientific and legal mining started in our state.”

Meanwhile, a government official statement said that in a significant step towards initiating scientific coal mining, under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the State Government has availed the approval of the standard operating procedures for obtaining prospecting license and mining lease for coal in March 2021.

Continuing the momentum, the Ministry of Coal, Government of India on 25 th April 2023, has provided previous approval for mining lease to 4 applicants of the 17 prospecting license applicants.

“The commencement of scientific mining will be landmark in the history of Meghalaya, as it ensures minimal environmental impact through sustainable and legally compliant extraction procedure,” it said.

The statement also said as part of Scientific Mining, reclamation of coal mining areas and use of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing, aerial surveys, and 3D modelling, would be prioritised and environmental impact would be mitigated significantly.

“Initiation of scientific mining in the state, is a significant achievement for the  Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led MDA government, who have a led a long relentless effort to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the citizens and revenue to the state’s exchequer,” it said while adding that the income generated from the mining sector, will be invested in the educational and healthcare sector, for the socio-economic prosperity of the state.

By Our Reporter