Shillong, Jan. 15: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said the state has taken a significant step forward in its regulated coal mining journey, with four individuals being granted mining licences and scientific extraction already underway.
 |
| Image Credit: Praticia Mukhim |
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister informed that licensed miners have begun making investments in equipment and operations, and mining activities have commenced at various stages. He said scientifically mined coal has already been dispatched twice, marking an important milestone after years of uncertainty surrounding coal mining in the state.
“Equipments have been installed, and in some areas mining has already started. In fact, scientifically mined coal has been flagged off in batches on two occasions,” Sangma said, adding that further investments are being made to ensure compliance with scientific mining mandates.
The Chief Minister noted that around 17 to 20 additional applications for mining licences are currently pending with the Central government. With Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs now clearly laid out and the first four licences approved, he expressed confidence that the remaining applications would also be cleared soon.
“The first clearances were the most difficult part. Now that the SOPs are in place and the initial hurdles have been crossed, I expect more licences to be issued in the near future,” he said.
Sangma acknowledged that the transition to scientific mining involved new systems, technologies and procedures, which required time to put in place. However, he stressed that the toughest phase is now over and the government is focused on expanding the framework.
“Our next step is to expand scientific mining and involve as many miners as possible in a regulated and sustainable manner,” the Chief Minister said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental safeguards.
The move is expected to bring transparency, sustainability and long-term stability to Meghalaya’s coal sector, while ensuring livelihoods for local communities under a legally compliant mining regime.
