Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma Inaugurates State’s First Scientific Coal Mine in East Jaintia Hills Today

Scientific coal mine is expected to bolster the state’s economy and provide employment opportunities for the youth.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Sunday inaugurated the state’s first scientific coal mine at Saryng-kham in East Jaintia Hills marking a significant development in the state’s mining sector after nearly a decade-long ban on coal mining.

The ban on coal mining was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to environmental concerns and unregulated mining practices, particularly the hazardous rat-hole mining method.

However, in recent years, the state government has worked towards legalising and regulating coal extraction through scientific and sustainable mining practices.

Taking to X, CM Sangma hailed the occasion as a “historic and red-letter day” for the people of Meghalaya.

“After almost a decade of ban on coal mining .. we have today inaugurated the first scientific coal mine in East Jaintia hills.… truly a historic and red letter day for the people of Meghalaya…,” CM Sangma tweeted.

After almost a decade of ban on coal mining .. we have today inaugurated the first scientific coal mine in East Jaintia hills.… truly a historic and red letter day for the people of Meghalaya… 🙏

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) March 17, 2025

Scientific coal mine is expected to bolster the state’s economy and provide employment opportunities for the youth.

Notably, the government secured approval for scientific coal mining operations in three sites on January 30, 2025.

Three escrow agreements were signed between the Controller of Coal, Government of India, and project proponents for mining sites at Pyndeng-shalang in West Khasi Hills; Saryng-kham in East Jaintia Hills; and Lumia-khi Wah-sarang in East Jaintia Hills.

Earlier Chief Minister Sangma had lauded the signing of the agreements as a “monumental and historic day” for Meghalaya, highlighting the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise of reviving the coal mining industry through regulated and scientific methods.

He also revealed that 12 more applications for mining operations are in advanced stages of approval.

The Meghalaya government is also prioritising environmental restoration efforts with nearly Rs 500 crore from the Meghalaya Reclamation Fund being allocated to restore degraded mining areas, conserve water bodies and carry out afforestation programmes.

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