Shillong: While three coal mines in the state have received full operational clearance and have officially commenced scientific coal mining, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that 11 more miners are expected to receive clearance soon.
“These three mines have started extracting coal through scientific methods. The Ministry of Coal has inspected the operations and expressed satisfaction with the progress,” the Chief Minister stated.
While mining has officially begun at the approved sites, the Chief Minister noted that logistical challenges remain. “There are still some issues to be resolved regarding the transportation of the extracted coal, but the mining operations have successfully started,” he said.
Sangma further informed that approximately 11 more mines are nearing the final stage of receiving clearance to commence operations. “I don’t have the exact figures, but as per the latest updates, around 10 to 11 mines—mostly in East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills—are expected to get approval in the next one to two months,” he said.
The move is expected to bring economic benefits to the state while ensuring that mining activities adhere to environmental norms and safety standards.
The development comes after years of efforts to regularise coal mining in Meghalaya, following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban in 2014 due to unsafe and unscientific mining practices. The state government, in coordination with the central government, introduced guidelines for scientific coal mining, ensuring safety, environmental compliance, and proper rehabilitation plans.
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