karbi anglong: Karbi Anglong is likely to dig up the 5th coal mine | Guwahati News
Guwahati: In the mineral-rich mountainous district of Karbi Anglong, the fifth coalfield is set to be discovered as the Directorate of Geology and Mines (DGM), Assam, has reached the final stage of drilling before gaining access to the coal seam in Klurdung, which is located in difficult terrain surrounded by forests.
Since 1980, four coal deposits have been discovered in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts where about 2 million coal stocks are located. Reaching the coal deposit at Klurdung, which seems imminent, is going to be a milestone and will enrich the Treasury and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). The coal auction process has already been initiated by the coal ministry in the Koilajan and Garampani coal fields which were discovered earlier.
“So far we have drilled 59 meters at Klurdung and hope to get a coal seam in the area soon. Our team has already reached a carbonaceous material, which indicates the presence of a coal seam below,” said Barnalee Nath, Co-Director of DGM, Assam. She informed that several more drillings will be carried out in the area later and if she is satisfied, the full report will be made, mentioning the quality of the coal, the details of the deposits and the drilling data.
“In 2017-18, we first did the survey in the Klurdung area. We started drilling here in 2018-19 after getting clues about coal availability. In 2019-20, we were unable to carry out any drilling due to the Covid situation. In 2020-2021, we were supposed to go through drilling, but since the employees were engaged in electoral tasks, it could not be accelerated,” said Nath. In 2021-22, work resumed with drilling and eventually the team reached a stage where they are certain of the presence of a coal seam.
At Klurdung, no such exploration had taken place before and drilling officials said a minimum of five years was needed to complete exploration in a geological area. “Once the drilling and mapping in the area is completed, the geological report will be prepared,” an official said.
Since 1980, four coal deposits have been discovered in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts where about 2 million coal stocks are located. Reaching the coal deposit at Klurdung, which seems imminent, is going to be a milestone and will enrich the Treasury and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). The coal auction process has already been initiated by the coal ministry in the Koilajan and Garampani coal fields which were discovered earlier.
“So far we have drilled 59 meters at Klurdung and hope to get a coal seam in the area soon. Our team has already reached a carbonaceous material, which indicates the presence of a coal seam below,” said Barnalee Nath, Co-Director of DGM, Assam. She informed that several more drillings will be carried out in the area later and if she is satisfied, the full report will be made, mentioning the quality of the coal, the details of the deposits and the drilling data.
“In 2017-18, we first did the survey in the Klurdung area. We started drilling here in 2018-19 after getting clues about coal availability. In 2019-20, we were unable to carry out any drilling due to the Covid situation. In 2020-2021, we were supposed to go through drilling, but since the employees were engaged in electoral tasks, it could not be accelerated,” said Nath. In 2021-22, work resumed with drilling and eventually the team reached a stage where they are certain of the presence of a coal seam.
At Klurdung, no such exploration had taken place before and drilling officials said a minimum of five years was needed to complete exploration in a geological area. “Once the drilling and mapping in the area is completed, the geological report will be prepared,” an official said.