Mining of Minerals: An Environmental Threat in Meghalaya

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister’s sate of north-east India possesses rich deposits of various minerals. The major minerals which are presently being mined are Coal, Limestone, Silimanite, Clay and Keolin, Glass sand, Quartz and Feldspar. Deposits of these minerals are spread throughout the state. Presence of Uranium deposit in the southern part of West Khasi Hills brings Meghalaya into the uranium map of India. According to Directorate of Mineral Resources, Government of Meghalaya maximum limestone reserves are present in the Khasi Hills Districts while maximum coal reserves are present in Garo hills districts whereas, the extraction is more in Jaintia hills district. Jaintia hills district alone contributes more than 70% of total coal production of the state. The quality of limestone found in the state varies from cement grade to chemical grade. These minerals are utilized in several mineral based industries in the state as well as in the country. Coal and Limestone are also exported to Bangladesh. Coal and limestone mining are two of Meghalaya’s biggest industries and the state also has sizable deposits of uranium, granite, kaolin, clay and glass sand. But since all land in the state falls under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and is protected tribal land, the mines belong to tribal owners. Mining in the state is therefore disorganized. The sector is not known for safety measures, no environmental clearance is required and any resident is allowed exploration and mining.

 

 Figure: Limestone mine in Cherrapunjee of Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Fact and Figure

Meghalaya is one of the worst mining states in the country for total disregard to scientific methods of mining and absence of a policy. It is a case in point of the worst state in the entire country with regard to mining as there is no security to life of the workers at the mines. It is also a big threat to the environment and biodiversity. Mining in the state create huge damage to the biological communities and negative impact depends on mining methods, geological conditions and whether the mines is working or abandoned. The problems of waste rocks dumps during  mining become  disturbing to the landscape, as result natural vegetation start struggling for surviving  and habitats become poor, presenting very rigorous condition for plant growth. The unscientific mining of minerals poses a serious threat to the environment, resulting in the reduction of forest cover, erosion of soil in a greater scale, pollution of air, water and land and reduction of biodiversity. Coal mining has been most extensively practiced in all districts of Meghalaya, as result of this the original lush green landscape have been converted to mine spoils. There has been unusual increase in mining of coal, limestone, sillimanite and clay, causing large scale deforestation, and decline in environment during the last few decades.

 

Figure: Coal mine in Cherrapunjee of Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Coal extraction is done by primitive mining method commonly known as ‘rat-hole’ mining. During the last few decades, there has been phenomenal increase in mining of coal, limestone, sillimanite and clay, causing large-scale destruction and deterioration in the environment. Because of the complex (traditional) landholding systems in the state very little governmental control can be exercised on the lands. Therefore, mining is done under customary rights and is not covered by any mining act, rule or any other legislation.

The water bodies of the area are the greatest victims of the mining. The problems of water quality degradation and its adverse impacts on availability of potable and irrigation water, soil quality and agricultural productivity, and biodiversity in the area have been attracting increasing attention of people. The acid discharge and rat holes of coal mines pose hazard to the surroundings, including land and water bodies, besides humans, a report of the State Pollution Control Board said. Unscientific coal and limestone mining in Meghalaya, especially in the Jaintia Hills, has already altered the ecological balance of vast tracts of land. Due to large-scale rat-hole mining; there are various types of environmental problems occurring in the coal mining areas of the state. The most serious problems due to coal mining are acute scarcity of potable water, deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, land subsidence, air pollution, encroachment of forest and agricultural land and loss to human lives.

 

Figure: Abandoned rate-hole coal mines in Jantiya Hills 

Impact on Biodiversity and Environment

The mining sector of Meghalaya is weighed down by several environmental, health and safety related problems. Several accidents have taken place in underground and surface mines like coal and limestone mines in last few years, which have killed score of mine workers. Most of the mining activities are small scale ventures controlled by individuals who own the land. Mining operation, undoubtedly has brought wealth and employment opportunity in the area, but simultaneously has led to extensive environmental degradation and disruption of traditional values in the society. Environmental problems associated with mining have been felt severely because of the region’s fragile ecosystems and rich biological and cultural diversity. Large scale denudation of forest cover, scarcity of water, pollution of air and degradation of agricultural lands are some of the prominent environmental implications of coal and limestone mining. Besides, a vast area has become physically disfigured due to disorganized dumping of overburden, caving in of the ground and subsidence of land. Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal, which is created by the crushing, grinding, or pulverizing of coal. Because of the brittle nature of coal, coal dust can be created during mining, transportation, or by mechanically handling coal. Blasting at mountaintop removal sites also expels coal dust and fly-rock into the air, which can disturb or settle onto nearby communities. The dust contains sulfur compounds, which corrodes structures and is a health hazard.