Coal Ministry examines prospects for restarting Meghalaya mining operations

A multi-agency technical team visited coal-bearing districts in Meghalaya last week to evaluate possibilities for resuming small-scale mining activities, which have remained suspended since 2014 when the National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in the state. The delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of Coal, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, and the Directorate General of Mines Safety, working alongside state mining officials. The visits to East Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills represented part of broader governmental consultations aimed at identifying pathways to restart operations while adhering to environmental protection, worker safety and legal compliance standards. M P Tongper, Meghalaya's Director of Mineral Resources, confirmed that the inspection examined existing mining methodologies and assessed the technical feasibility of conducting mining under enhanced regulatory frameworks. The assessment signals intensified coordination between Meghalaya and the central government to address the decade-long operational freeze that has impacted the state's mineral sector and local employment while balancing conservation imperatives.