SHILLONG, July 8: The state government is pushing for a new coal mining framework to allow safer, technology-assisted tunnel mining for Meghalaya’s small and traditional miners. State and central officials will hold detailed consultations within the next seven to 10 days.
The discussions, involving the Union Coal Secretary, Additional Secretary and Meghalaya officials, will examine the state’s proposals before a formal presentation is made to the Union Coal Minister.
At the core of the proposal is the state’s view that large-scale open-cast mining is financially unviable for many local miners and that a regulated system suited to Meghalaya’s traditional mining conditions is needed.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Wednesday that the government is exploring tunnel mining with modern safety measures, including 3D mapping to identify and avoid high-risk areas, infrastructure to stabilise mine passages, and smaller, less expensive machines.
The state has also asked the Union Coal Ministry to identify suitable technologies to reduce risks under a regulated system. Meghalaya has more than 22,000 mines across the state, making monitoring difficult without a workable framework.
The government believes a defined regulatory system would help enforce procedures and make safety compliance mandatory. It has sought delegation of certain powers under Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, with powers for approvals of paperwork and mining plans to be given to the state. A central technical agency could work with the state on safety requirements and technical aspects.
The move follows Meghalaya’s representation to the Union Coal Ministry over difficulties faced by small and traditional miners. Sangma said the Union Coal Minister agreed that the requirement of around 100 acres was not feasible for small local miners and that the issue needed review. The state also highlighted problems faced by miners in travelling to New Delhi for licences and paperwork.
While the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, the state government has maintained that the conditions for scientific mining remain difficult for many small miners to meet.
The upcoming talks are expected to decide whether the Centre and state can arrive at a framework that combines easier administrative procedures, technical oversight and safer mining methods suited to local conditions.
