SHILLONG, May 2: The Centre’s approval of the mining lease of four individuals has ignited the state government’s hope of reviving the once-thriving mining sector.
An upbeat Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma told reporters on Tuesday that the government has cleared the biggest hurdle in scientific and legal mining in the state.
“Once we have the public hearing, forest clearance and mining plan approved, which are procedural aspects and should take 30-45 days, these approvals will be given green signal for starting scientific mining,” the chief minister said.
The miners receiving approval were jubilant. They will felicitate Sangma in Nongstoin soon. The government will also have a meeting with them to discuss the way forward.
Sangma is hopeful of good days ahead. He said while things will not change in days or months, there is now clarity that the state will have scientific mining. He said the government has to keep improving the provisions so that more people get their mining licenses from the Centre.
According to the April 24 approval letter, the four miners cleared for mining are Nehlang Lyngdoh, Maksing Sibren Nongbri, Thomas Nongtdu and Wenni Diengngan. Their coal blocks are in Khliehriat, Kalagaw in Ranikor, Byndihati village and Nongstoin respectively.
The state government on Tuesday held a meeting with the officials of Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) to work towards implementing plans for the reclamation of mines.
The government has funds to reclaim the mines and as such, it is engaging with agencies, including CMPDI, and working how to move forward.
As a 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.
In April 2014, the National Green Tribunal had imposed a blanket ban on the mining and transportation of coal in Meghalaya. After this ruling, the mining industry suffered a negative growth of 59.36%.
The ban severely crippled the lives of thousands of people dependent on the mining sector – directly and indirectly. Many of them lost their livelihood and had to resort to menial jobs to eke out a living.
