Meghalaya government has officially launched scientific coal mining, nearly a decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining. On 17 March, 2025, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma virtually inaugurated the first scientific coal mining block at Saryngkham-A in East Jaintia Hills.

The CM noted that since taking office in 2018, his government had prioritised the resumption of coal mining. The government worked to restore normalcy and provide relief to affected individuals. He assured that the process to grant mining permissions to other applicants is ongoing.

The CM also highlighted the unique land rights and landholding systems in Meghalaya, which made coal mining resumption more complex. The NGT had imposed the ban in 2014 following a series of coal mine accidents, later upheld by the Supreme Court.