GUWAHATI:
Klurdung village near Bakaliaghat in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district is likely to be the fifth coalfield in the area, informed the Directorate of Geology and Mining (DGM), on January 28.
The joint director of DGM, Barnali Nath said that a team, drilling in the area since 2018-29, got access to coal in the final phase of drilling but setting up of a process to mine coal at the site may take two years.
“We have drilled 59 meters in Klurdung. Our team has already reached carbonaceous materials which indicates presence of coal layer at the site,” Nath said, adding that several drillings will be conducted in the area before preparing a comprehensive report on the quality of coal.
“In 2017-18, we surveyed Klurdung and started drilling in 2018-19. But we could not carry on due to the pandemic in 2019-2020. Again in 2020-21, we could not drill as most of our employees were busy with state assembly elections. In 2021-22, we resumed the drilling and finally reached a stage to conclude the presence of coal layer in the area,” informed Nath.
She said, after mapping, a geological report will be prepared after which the area can be transferred into a coal block following completion of necessary formalities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Coal has started the process of auctioneering of two coalfields – Koilajan in Karbi Anglong and Garaampani in Dima Hasao.
The DGM is also planning to survey the Sarpo Teron Gaon and Laldera Nepali Basti area near Manja in search of coal stock, an official added. Notably, the Ministry of Mines had earlier discovered four coal fields in Karbi Anglong – Amlokhi, Silanijan, Koilajan and Sheelveta – with estimated coal reserves of 2 MT.