Meghalaya to Use Scientific Mining Methods in the State

SHILLONG: The chief minister of Meghalaya announced that his government is preparing to abandon the traditional techniques used in the state for mining and ensure the use of scientific mining of coal. It can be noted that the traditional rat hole mining technique had resulted in several fatalities in the state following which the National Green Tribunal to outlaw the practice.

Chief minister Conrad Sangma stated that a number of events are planned for January 2024, when the scientific method of coal mining will be implemented. According to CM Sangma, significant progress has been made in using the scientific mining method. This came in response to a question about his response to the Meghalaya High Court's consultation with a one-member committee that recommended the need for guidelines for the state's coal mining operations to be conducted scientifically.

He provided information about the steps taken to start scientific mining, saying, "The process is already underway. In fact, the equipment needed to begin scientific mining has already been installed in some places. Although I don't want to jump the gun just yet, we do anticipate a lot of activity in January. Machines have already been ordered, some are being installed, and others are on the way. Hopefully, things will get going soon. Since these are technical matters, I won't be able to provide a timeframe, but a lot of progress has been made, and as I mentioned earlier, a lot of equipment is being ordered and installed.”

When questioned regarding the development of guidelines for scientific mining he said that several guidelines have already been regleased and that the Government of India has granted permissions based on these guidelines. He also mentioned that four mining plans have already been approved.

In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) prohibited rat hole mining in Meghalaya, citing the possibility of human fatalities resulting from non-scientific mining practices.

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