The Meghalaya government has started the process of preparing the modalities for starting scientific coal mining in the State following recent approval by the Union Coal Ministry to four mining leases.
It may be noted that the Coal Ministry on April 25 has granted mining leases to Nehlang Lyngdoh, Maksing Sibren Nongbri, Thomas Nongtdu and Wenni Diengngan.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today held a meeting with officials of Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) and those from the Mining Department and Forest and Environment Department.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Sangma mentioned that the main hurdle for the process of scientific mining or mining to start in a scientific manner was the mining lease.
He also informed that he was happy to inform that about a week ago the government of India approved the mining lease to be given to four miners.
“So hence we have overcome the largest hurdle that we had for the process of scientific mining and legal mining, to start in the State. And therefore now once we have the public hearing and the forest clearance and the mining plan approved which are just procedural aspects, we expect that in anything between 30 days to 45 days these approvals will be done,” Sangma added.
He said that the main objective is to work towards a plan for the reclamation of the mines.
“As you’re aware that we have been working and there is a fund available with us for reclamation of the mines, and hence, this is a process which we want to start and we have been engaging with many agencies. CMPDI is a very experienced agency and is an agency which has vast experience in all these aspects. So we had a detailed meeting with them and we are working towards how we should move forward for this entire issue of reclamation,” Sangma said.
