Uranium mining likely this year: Meghalaya CM

The mining of uranium in Meghalaya could commence within the first half of this year, if certain outstanding issues can be resolved between the state government and a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who have been opposed to the extraction of the mineral.

"We are going ahead with uranium mining in Meghalaya. A joint committee of NGOs has been formed and we intend on resolving all issues within the next three months. I am hopeful that the mining will start within the next 5-6 months," Meghalaya chief minister DD Lapang said here on Friday.

Lapang, who was speaking on the sidelines of a business summit on the North East, said that he had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking Rs 2,098 crore for undertaking development work in the mining area.

"We want to start with the developmental work first, and the mining part can either follow this or go along at the same time. Many NGOs who had initially opposed the project are now coming onboard," he said.

Approximately 16 per cent of India's uranium reserves are located in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, with deposits estimated to be in the range of 9,500 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes at Domiasiat and Wakhyn, respectively.

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) intends on establishing an open-cast mine in the Domiasiat area, for which various pre-project activities such as preparation of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)/Environment Management Plan (EMP) report and Detailed Project Report (DPR) have been initiated.

However, some NGOs and student organisations have opposed uranium mining on the ground that it would lead to influx of outsiders into Meghalaya and also for their perceived health hazard in the mining and adjoining areas.

For the last few years, the department of atomic energy and UCIL have been conducting awareness programme to assail misconceptions regarding uranium mining in West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya and also addressing the economic and environmental concerns.