The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining more than ten years ago, but Meghalaya has now officially opened scientific coal mining. In the East Jaintia Hills district’s Byndihati, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma virtually opened “Saryngkham-A,” the first scientific coal mining block. The first rat-hole coal mining ban was put into effect in April 2014 in response to a petition from a student organization in the Dima Hasao area of Assam that highlighted the acidity of rivers brought on by open-cutting, uncontrolled mining practices. A significant step for the state’s coal industry is the transition to scientific mining.
Speaking to the crowd, Chief Minister Sangma commended all those involved in bringing scientific mining to fruition, including government representatives, mine owners, lease applicants, and Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati, the owner of the first mining lease. He admitted that those who depended on coal mining had had an especially difficult ten years because of the ban’s severe financial effects. Sangma recalled that the state’s coalition administration placed a high premium on the sustainable restart of coal mining during his first tenure as chief minister in 2018.
The inaugural scientific coal mining project in Meghalaya has been successful after decades of struggle. The government plans to expedite the process for future applicants to obtain permits and operate according to scientific guidelines. Despite challenges due to Meghalaya’s unique land rights and systems, the government has overcome them to ensure responsible coal extraction.
