DIMAPUR, AUGUST 5 (MExN): The 30th State Geological Programming Board (SGPB) meeting was held Thursday, August 5 in Dimapur. It took place at the conference hall of the directorate geology & mining.
Parliamentary Secretary for geology & mining, irrigation & flood control and border affairs Y. Patton was the chief guest in the meeting which was chaired by Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, commissioner & secretary, department of geology & mining and horticulture, Nagaland. The meeting had in attendance professionals and geo-scientists from various central government organisations, state departments and experts from the oil major - Oil & Natural Gas Corporation of India. Dr. Saleem A Khan of Trident Resources Ltd and Dr. BP Baruah, scientist & HoD, coal chemistry of North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST) was the main speakers who presented detailed power point presentations. Dr. Khan’s paper was on ‘Prospect of noble metals in the Naga Ophiolite’ while Dr. Baruah presented on ‘Techno-feasibility on manufacture of coke-breeze from Nagaland coal (Konya coal)’.
Patton mentioned in his inaugural address that to harness the resources for economic upliftment of the people, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, State Government has decided to resume the petroleum exploration and development of natural gas in Changpang Oil Field and all other oil bearing areas in the state as enshrined in the Constitution of India under Article 371A. To this effect, resolution was adopted in the assembly during recently concluded Assembly Session.
During the current year at total of Rs. 49.50 lakhs was generated as revenue from coal mining. The department has set up ‘mineral check-gates’ at strategic locations in Wokha, Mokokchung and Mon districts through which coal activities will be monitored, besides constitution of ‘Flying Squad Team’ under State Level Task Force to check all ‘mineral check gates’ and illegal mining areas in the state. Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung and Phek districts has so fare been covered under the ‘exploration cum mobilization of ground water resources programmes in hilly terrain, he informed. “To generate revenue through groundwater development, the department has formulated to procure one more unit of ‘water well drilling rig’ suitable for hilly terrain… has formulated long term Strategic Plan for scientific development and management of groundwater resources in the state…”
Patton while acknowledging the presence of the experts hoped that today’s meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange new ideas and views. “For formulation of judicious planning and framing of policies on mineral development, the department looks forward to the support and cooperation with insight from eminent experts…,” he said. Highlighting the activities of the department of geology & mining he informed that the department is working on a collaborative project with National Metallurgical Laboratory at Jamshedpur on ‘Pilot Scale Smelting and pre-feasibility studies on nickel-cobalt-chromium bearing magnetite ore from Nagaland for an economically viable plant.’
At an estimated cost of Rs. 78 lakhs, the project has been jointly sponsored by Dept. of mines, Ministry of steel, department of Science & Technology (GoI) and Directorate of Geology & Mining, Government of Nagaland. “The research work started in 2008 and the work is in full progress and hopeful that it would be completed by the end of 2011,” he stated. Besides, two collaborative programmes under ‘Promotional Exploration’, Ministry of Mines, Government of India is undergoing: “Detailed Exploration of Limestone in Nimi-Pyakatsu block in collaboration with Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), Nagpur, Maharashtra” and Regional Coal Exploration in Northern Khar Coal Field in collaboration with Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi, Jharkhand.” Patton stated that the main objective of the former for setting up of a mega cement plant while the latter for setting up of thermal power plant and other coal based industries.
The inaugural session was followed by a ‘technical session’ where works done by the department and other agencies was reviewed and agendas discussed.
