The Assam government on August 2 legalised quartz stone mining from Arting Quartzite Block-1 in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district.
“60 per cent of the share from the profit will be shared with Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), while 40 per cent will go to the state government’s exchequer,” state minister for mines and minerals Nandita Garlosa said at the opening ceremony of the quartz stone quarry at Arting, 40 km off Hamren, district headquarters of West Karbi Anglong bordering Meghalaya.
The contract for the quartz mining has been awarded to contractor Priyanka Prity Baruah.
Garlosa also announced that entire villages of the area will be electrified under the government’s electrification schemes.
“The exploration should not be excessive so that it does not have an ecological imbalance, but at the same time mining should be carried out to increase revenue. The council can take its own decision. There is a share of revenue of 60:40 per cent. The council will also receive from the mining as the land belongs to the council,” she added.
Present at the opening were Hills areas development (HAD) minister Jogen Mohan and chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, MLA Rupsing Teron, Bidyasing Engleng and other dignitaries.
“It is good for us that quartz stone mining has been legalised. There were incidents of illegal mining in 2014, when six people were arrested,” Teron said.
CEM KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang, said that the road from Lamhemphi to Arting will be improved, and that the council will also be taking up various schemes for the development of the area.
On the other hand, Mohan said he is much concerned about the development of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and the Dima Hasao districts.