Geology and Mining: Aiming beyond exploration & extraction

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | August 7 

MLA and Advisor for Geology & Mining and DUDA, W Chingang Konyak said that Nagaland’s mineral development strategy must be built on scientific exploration, collaboration, and value addition rather than raw extraction alone. Speaking at the 46th State Geological Programming Board (SGPB) conclave in Dimapur on August 7, he urged the Department to focus resources on sectors with clear economic and strategic potential to generate tangible benefits for the state.

According to him, scientific exploration must form the foundation of any policy decisions to attract investment.

While stating that natural resource development must balance economic growth with environmental safety and community rights, he said, “Our objective should not be extraction for its own sake. Our objective must be responsible development— development that creates wealth without destroying our environment and without weakening community rights.”

He called on the Geological Survey of India (GSI), national institutions, and the state's Directorate of Geology & Mining to strengthen cooperation, avoid duplication of work, and establish time-bound, measurable outcomes for approved programmes. Konyak also advocated for processing minerals within the state to maximize economic returns. “The greater benefit lies not merely in extracting a mineral, but in processing it, creating enterprises around it and generating employment from it,” he added. He however reminded that all development initiatives must respect the constitutional safeguards of Article 371A to maintain public trust.

Commissioner and Secretary for Geology and Mining, John Kevi Angami, highlighted the broad scope provided to the department compared to other states. He urged senior officials to distribute work judiciously to younger officers to foster departmental progress and build technical capacity, stating that the department requires their active efforts to advance.

Angami also pointed out that given the frequent occurrence of landslides in the state, the department must look beyond traditional mineral exploration and focus on geo-hazards and geotechnical assessments as well. He added that the state government has high expectations for the department.