By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 3: While scientific mining has officially begun in Meghalaya, the state government is now working with the Centre to ensure small-scale miners are not excluded due to stringent land-holding requirements.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday confirmed that four mining leases have been approved so far, with three already operational and exporting coal. However, he acknowledged that many small miners remain in a difficult position as they do not possess the large tracts of land required to qualify for leases under the current framework.
“We are actively engaging with the Government of India to explore whether provisions can be made for smaller mining operators,” Sangma said. While he declined to share specific details of the discussions, he described the Centre’s response as encouraging.
The Chief Minister noted that the transition to scientific mining involves balancing economic livelihoods with environmental and safety standards. He stated that while coal mining is a vital economic activity for thousands of families, the state is committed to ensuring it is conducted in a regulated and sustainable manner.
Addressing concerns over recent fatalities in abandoned pits, Sangma highlighted the immense scale of the challenge. He estimated that there are approximately 25,000 abandoned mines spread across remote areas of the state, making it virtually impossible for authorities to monitor every site.
Despite these hurdles, the Chief Minister said the approval of the first few leases marks a significant milestone. He remained hopeful that continued cooperation with the Centre would lead to a system that accommodates smaller operators while maintaining public safety and environmental safeguards.
