Shillong, Apr 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday announced that 11 more miners in the state are likely to receive approval for scientific coal mining in the coming months. This follows the commencement of legal mining operations by three miners in East Jaintia Hills district.

Sangma, who also holds the Mining and Geology portfolio, said the new approvals are primarily for miners from East Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills districts. He noted that while three miners have already started scientific coal mining, certain issues remain regarding the transportation of the extracted coal.

The Chief Minister said the Ministry of Coal has inspected the mining operations and expressed satisfaction with the scientific methods being employed. This has opened the door for more approvals under the same framework.

Scientific coal mining in Meghalaya began on March 17 with the Saryngkham-A Coal Mine in Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills. Operated by miner Dapmain Shylla, the mine is the state’s first to follow legal and environmentally regulated mining practices.

In January 2025, the Meghalaya government received final clearance for scientific coal mining after three miners signed escrow agreements with the Controller of Coal, Government of India.

The move marks a major policy shift following the 2014 blanket ban on rat-hole mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), citing safety hazards and environmental concerns. Scientific mining will be conducted through open-cast methods under strict environmental regulations to ensure safe and sustainable coal extraction.