Expert committee on mining has said in its compliance report that the impact of mining by Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Ltd in Meghalaya has been very positive and beneficial for the local populace.

Report of the committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests said that “The impact of mining in the surrounding villages of Nongtrai and Shella was found very positive and beneficial to the residents due to the huge amount of cash going to the village durbar and reaching to individual households, improving the financial health of the population of the villages.”

LUMPL a subsidiary company of Lafarge Surma Cement, Bangladesh is a joint venture between Lafarge SA and Cementos Molins. LUMPL is procuring limestone from Meghalaya and sending it to the cement plant in Bangladesh through a conveyor belt.

The Nongtrai Limestone Mine is located at Nongtrai village under Shella confederacy, tehsil Sohra, east Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. Mining operations were stopped recently following a Supreme Court order February 5 2010.

On March 26th 2010, the attorney general submitted before the apex court that mining operations should be allowed to continue in view of the international agreements between India and Bangladesh. The attorney general also suggested conditions that could be imposed on LUMPL to start mining operations on March 29.The next date of hearing is on April 12.

LUMPL in a statement said that it was pleased that the Supreme Court has set an early date for hearing. It said that “We hope for a speedy resolution of the matter in the best interest of all stakeholders.”

The committee met the local population and institutions and members of the Church. The report said that “The local population and institutions do not have any problem/grievances with LUMPL and they want that mining should be allowed to take place and requested the government of India to give all clearance needed for the same”.

(Sourced from Business Standard)