Dimapur: The estimated coal resources in the North-East States as per the Coal Inventory of India published by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was 1739.37 million tonnes (MT) as of April 1, 2021, including 446.42 MT in Nagaland, the Rajya Sabha was informed on April 4.

However, out of this, only 593.81 MT was denoted as ‘Measured’ while the rest are either ‘Indicated’ or ‘Inferred,’ stated the information given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in the Upper House of the Parliament. 

The GSI is tasked to assess coal and other mineral resources of the country with regional level exploration.

Meanwhile, the State-wise break-up of coal resources provided by the Minister informed that Meghalaya had the highest estimated reserve at 576 MT, though it was either ‘Inferred’ (470.93 MT) or ‘Indicated’ (16.51MT). 

In terms of actual measurement, Assam had the highest at 464.78 MT, while the State had ‘Indicated’ and ‘Inferred’ resources of 57.51 and 3.02 MT respectively, for a cumulative total of 525.01 MT.  

Nagaland was third with an overall estimate of 446.42 MT, but only 8.76 MT out of this was denoted as ‘Measured’ and  21.83 MT as ‘Indicated.’ The rest - 415.83 MT was estimated on inference. 

The Minister also further informed that there are 391 coal mines are being operated under Government agencies – Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and NLC India Limited (NLCIL).

In the NE region, the coal mines being operated under Government agencies are coal mines of North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), Coal India Limited, Margherita, he said. 

In a related query regarding the number of private licenses given for coal mines in the region, the Minister replied that recently direction has been issued regarding successful bidder of 2 coal blocks located in Assam - Garampani and Koilajan cola blocks.

The Minister further claimed that there was no loss due to illegal coal mining in 2021-22 from the working areas of North Eastern Coalfields (NEC).

The responsibility to prevent illegal mining lies with the State Government agencies, he said, 

In addition, the Minister highlighted that the NEC is also taking several steps to prevent illegal mining in its working areas.

The steps included joint operations with the state police against illegal coal mining; patrolling of vulnerable areas by AISF; Deployment of DGR sponsored security personnel at strategic points; Installation of CCTV cameras at strategic points including coal dump area; Strict control at Colliery gates; and arrest of persons involved in pilfering coal and handed them over to local police.