The Department of Geology & Mining has brought many unregulated coal mining activities under its control and is regulating the same under the Nagaland Coal Mining Rules, 2006, which is framed under the Nagaland Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources Act, 1990. Parliamentary Secretary, Geology & Mining, Y. Patton stated this while replying to a starred question at the 4 th session of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly this morning.

            Large-scale unregulated coal mining is going on in parts of Mon, Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha districts and so far, the Department of Geology & Mining has issued 24 Coal Prospecting License for carrying out prospecting works to Private Companies and some individuals and one (1) Mining Lease has been issued.

            The Parliamentary Secretary said that the government has given one Coal Mining License to Tiru Coal Project Ltd to operate one opencast mining in Upper Tiru village and the mine is under proper regulation and control of the department of Geology & Mining. The Department has, however, not issued any license to any individual or company in Konya area of Tuensang district.

            Stating that it is mandatory that the company or individual applying for grant of mining lease should first conduct Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), the Parliamentary Secretary said that Tiru Coal Project Ltd has accordingly carried out EIA and the same was consented by the competent authority, the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board (NSPCB) after which the Mining Lease was granted.