The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri B.K. Handique has said that as per available information, fairly good uranium deposit have been identified in the State of Meghalaya. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today he said, extraction is subject to statutory clearances. State-wise information on reserves/resources of minerals in the country is given in the Indian Mineral Year Book published by Indian Bureau of Mines, a copy of which has been supplied to the Parliament Library. Mining of minerals depends broadly on availability of mineral resources, economic viability, demand of the market etc. Under the liberalised economic environment, investment decisions, including choice of location, are taken by the entrepreneurs based on their techno-economic judgements and commercial considerations.
As per available information, while most of the tribals have welcomed the mining projects, few NGOs are opposing the uranium mining on the grounds of influx of outsiders into Meghalaya and perceived health hazards in the adjoining areas.
The Government has undertaken Awareness Programme to clear the misconceptions and addressing the economic and environmental concerns.