Assam Government planning to develop a 3,400 MW thermal power project: CM
Chief Minister attends 2nd North East Mining Ministers’ Conclave at Sonapur in august presence of Union Minister of Coal & Mines
Assam Government undertaking measures to strengthen the State’s economy through scientific exploration and optimal utilisation of mineral resources: CM
In the august presence of Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today attended the 2nd North East Mining Ministers’ Conclave held at Sonapur, Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sarma stated that the first Conclave, held three years ago in Nagaland, established a common platform for all Northeastern states to address key issues in the mining sector. Building on that foundation, the current Conclave aims to strengthen inter-state cooperation, develop practical policies, improve infrastructure, and explore opportunities for technological adoption and investment to support the sustainable development of the region’s mineral resources.
The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy for organising the Conclave and noted that, during his tenure as Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), the Union Minister contributed to identifying untapped potential in the region. He further stated that, in his current role as Minister of Mines, Mr Reddy has initiated strategic measures to utilise mineral resources to support economic growth.
Dr. Sarma stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North Eastern region has experienced notable progress, with previously closed coalfields reopened following policy interventions by the Central Government. He emphasised the need to further accelerate this development, noting that the Assam Government has prioritised this area. He further added that the state has an independent Mines and Minerals Department responsible for the sustainable exploration, regulation, and development of its mineral resources.
The Chief Minister stated that the department has initiated the auction of seven limestone blocks in the Borohungdong and Umrangso areas of Dima Hasao district. Five of these blocks have already been successfully auctioned, and Letters of Intent have been issued to the winning bidders. The remaining two limestone blocks are at the second-stage bidding process and are expected to be auctioned by August 2025. He added that, in line with the SASCI guidelines of the Government of India, the goal is to operationalise at least one auctioned limestone block by December 2025. He further mentioned that, with the support of the Ministry of Mines, the state government is planning to revive non-operational limestone mines. Additionally, he said that six quartzite blocks and one China clay block have been auctioned so far. Lease deeds for two quartzite blocks have already been signed. He added that the auction process for 21 granite blocks, along with blocks of China clay, glass sand, quartzite, and sandstones, is underway. It is expected that these auctions, based on the revised royalty rates, would significantly boost the state’s revenue.
Reflecting on the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, Dr. Sarma stated that during the event, the Mines and Minerals Department signed 14 MoUs with prominent national and international investors amounting to over Rs. 46,000 crores. The state government has already begun taking steps to translate these into actionable investments. He further said that a roadmap for mineral exploration in the hill districts has been prepared. The Mines and Minerals Department has devised a comprehensive roadmap for exploration in the two Hill District Councils of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, with a focus on Rare Earth Elements and other minerals. Exploration activities are currently being carried out by multiple central and state agencies under close review by the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Minister also informed that the State Cabinet has approved the formation of the Assam State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET). The Trust would help funding in exploration of minor minerals and promote sustainable mining and economic growth. He mentioned that the state government is actively working on drafting the Assam Mineral Policy. Through the amendment of the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2025, the state has adopted a Circular Economy-Based Zero Waste Mining model, focusing on recycling waste materials and reducing harmful particulate matters.
Dr. Sarma stated that the National Mineral Exploration Trust has completed three exploration projects for limestone, iron ore, and sillimanite. Additionally, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute has made significant progress in coal exploration at Larbo in Dima Hasao district. Private exploration agencies have also begun coal exploration in Amlakhi, Silonijan, Lal Dera and Sarpo-Teron in Karbi- Anglong district.
The Chief Minister said that under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), various community level projects related to drinking water, education, sanitation, and welfare of women and children are being implemented across different districts of the state. As per the revised PMKKKY guidelines, these initiatives are now incorporated into the Assam District Mineral Foundation (Trust) Rules, 2020. He added that the Assam Mineral Development Corporation Limited (AMDCL) has secured three coal mines through competitive bidding – Garampani, Koilajan and Binja in Jharkhand. Additionally, coal blocks such as Tipong, Parkupar and Saleki have been identified for allocation under Section 17A of the MMDR Act. Moreover, AMDCL has proposed a pilot project for extraction of granite block and a polishing unit at Dudhkuri Pahar, Lampara in Kamrup District. This would be the first of its kind in Assam, creating employment for local youth and promoting industrial growth.
Dr. Sarma stated that the Assam government is planning to develop a 3,400 MW thermal power project, and the Central Government has assured the supply of coal for this purpose. He urged the Union Minister to ensure that this assurance is implemented swiftly. He further mentioned that the state also aims to generate 1,000 MW of solar power through joint ventures. He remarked that the Northeast is rich in mineral resources, and if the Government of India extends support in exploration, the region can become highly prosperous in the mining sector. He noted that the revenue generated from the extraction of these mineral resources would benefit every state in the region. He called upon all the states to extend their cooperation to the Central Government in this endeavour. Additionally, he stated that this process would help fulfil the dream of building a Viksit Bharat envisioned by the Prime Minister in 2047.
The Conclave was also attended by Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, Assam Minister of Mines & Minerals etc. Kaushik Rai, Arunachal Pradesh Minister of Mining Wangki Lowang, Sikkim Minister of Mines Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, Meghalaya Power Minister A.T. Mondal, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and MLA W. Chingang Konyak, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, V. L. Kantha Rao, and Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, Vikram Dev Dutt.
