Guwahati: A technical team from the Union Coal Ministry has inspected coal-bearing areas in Meghalaya to evaluate the feasibility of restarting small-scale mining, more than a decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in the state in 2014.
The team, comprising officials from the Union Coal Ministry, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) and the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), visited mining areas in East Jaintia Hills and the Khasi Hills last week. Officials from Meghalaya’s Directorate of Mineral Resources accompanied the team during the inspection.
Director of Mineral Resources M P Tongper said the visit was part of ongoing discussions between the state government and the Centre to explore possibilities for resuming small-scale coal mining in accordance with environmental regulations, mining safety standards and legal requirements.
During the visit, the officials examined existing mining practices and assessed whether coal extraction could be undertaken using scientific methods suited to Meghalaya’s geological conditions and landholding patterns.
The team also held discussions with senior state government officials on the difficulties faced by local miners and the technical, safety and environmental safeguards necessary for regulated mining operations.
The inspection comes as the Meghalaya government continues to explore ways to revive coal mining, which remains an important source of livelihood for many families in the state.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on July 7 to discuss the concerns of families dependent on coal mining and examine possible avenues for restarting the sector.
The latest assessment also comes amid growing scrutiny over the state’s coal stock. A committee appointed by the Meghalaya High Court recently called for a detailed inquiry into the reported shortage of around 13.02 lakh metric tonnes of inventoried coal, equivalent to approximately 52,000 truckloads. The committee also sought accountability for the missing stock.
The findings of the technical team could help guide further discussions between the state government and the Centre on whether small-scale coal mining can be resumed under regulated conditions. However, any move to restart operations would have to comply with applicable legal provisions and environmental and mining safety standards.
Further technical assessments and consultations between the two governments are expected in the coming weeks. Meghalaya’s Directorate of Mineral Resources is coordinating with the Union Coal Ministry and other relevant departments as the process continues.