Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has announced that 11 additional miners are set to receive approvals to begin scientific coal mining operations in the state soon.
Currently, three miners have already commenced coal extraction using scientific methods as mandated by the Central government.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sangma highlighted that these miners are also addressing challenges related to the safe transportation of coal.
“Coal mining by three miners has begun in a scientific manner after receiving approval from the Ministry of Coal for adhering to the prescribed guidelines,” Sangma stated.
He further revealed that 11 more miners are in the final stages of obtaining permission to begin extraction.
“Although I don’t have the precise figures, we expect that within the next one to two months, around 10 to 11 miners—primarily from East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills—will receive the green light for scientific coal mining,” Sangma added.
This marks a significant development for Meghalaya, where mining was resumed on March 17, 2025, in East Jaintia Hills after years of dormancy.
The chief minister had virtually inaugurated the first scientific coal mining block at Saryngkham-A in Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills.
Earlier, in January 2025, the Ministry of Coal approved three mining leases, including Saryngkham-A, Lumia-khi-Wah Sarang in East Jaintia Hills, and Pyndeng-Shalang in West Khasi Hills.
The shift to scientific mining follows the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ban on rat-hole mining in Meghalaya due to environmental concerns and a series of tragic incidents.
