**Executive Summary**
This document, answered on December 17, 2025, is a response by the Minister of Coal and Mines to Starred Question No. *253 in Lok Sabha. The question pertains to the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) mineral mapping in Meghalaya, identification of key mineral resources, and measures to promote sustainable mining practices. A statement with details is laid on the table of the House.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Geological Mapping:**
* GSI has completed Geological Mapping on a 1:50,000 scale for the entire state of Meghalaya.
* GSI has also completed Geochemical and Geophysical Mapping on 1:50,000 scale, except for some inaccessible areas.
* **Limestone Resources:**
* GSI has identified significant limestone resource potential in the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo-hills districts.
* Since the MMDR Amendment Act of 2015, a total of 6626.50 million tonnes of limestone resources have been established in Meghalaya.
* The annexure provides specific limestone resource details by district, field season, and block.
* **Sustainable Mining:**
* The Ministry of Mines has instituted a Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) for mining activities, including in Meghalaya.
* Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017, mandate sustainable mining practices for all leaseholders.
* Provisions require submission of digital aerial images (Drone/Satellite imageries) for accurate aerial imagery and 3D mapping of lease areas.
* **Star Rating of Mines:**
* The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has implemented a star rating system for mines.
* This two-tier system involves self-evaluation by mine operators, validated by IBM field inspections.
* A star rating from 0 to 5 is awarded annually based on the previous year's performance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Mines/Indian Bureau of Mines**
* **Impact**: Responsible for ensuring sustainable mining practices and implementing the star rating system.
* **Action Required**: Continue oversight and implementation of SDF, enforce the provisions of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, and conduct regular inspections of mines for star rating validation.
**Mine Operators/Leaseholders**
* **Impact**: Required to adhere to sustainable mining practices, submit digital aerial images, and participate in the star rating process.
* **Action Required**: Implement sustainable mining practices, provide accurate digital aerial imagery of lease areas, and complete self-evaluation templates for the star rating system.
**Government of Meghalaya**
* **Impact**: Is the region that has the limestone resources identified.
* **Action Required**: None explicitly stated.
**Geological Survey of India (GSI)**
* **Impact**: Responsible for identifying mineral resources, including limestone, through geological surveys and mapping.
* **Action Required**: Continue geological mapping activities to further assess mineral resources in the area.
Key Entities Referenced
Geological Survey of India (GSI): An organization that has completed mineral mapping of Meghalaya.
Ministry of Mines: The ministry responsible for the matters discussed in the document.
Meghalaya: The state where the mineral mapping and mining activities are taking place.
Sustainable Development Framework (SDF): Framework instituted by the Ministry of Mines for mining activities.
Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017: Rules mandating sustainable mining practices
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. *253
ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
KEY MINERALS IDENTIFIED BY GSI IN MEGHALAYA
*253. DR. RICKY ANDREW J SYNGKON:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has completed mineral mapping of
Meghalaya State and if so, the details thereof along with the key mineral resources
identified; and
(b) the details of the measures taken by the Government to promote sustainable and
scientific mining practices in the State?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
*****THE STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. *253 REGARDING ‘KEY MINERALS IDENTIFIED BY GSI IN
MEGHALAYA’ ASKED BY DR. RICKY ANDREW J SYNGKON, MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT FOR REPLY ON 17th DECEMBER 2025.
(a): Geological Survey of India (GSI) has completed Geological Mapping on 1:50,000
(50K) scale in the entire State of Meghalaya. Besides, GSI has also completed
Geochemical Mapping and Geophysical Mapping on 1:50K of Meghalaya except a few
inaccessible parts.
GSI has identified huge limestone resource potential in parts of Jaintia, Khasi
and Garo-hills districts. Since MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, a total of 6626.50 million
tonnes of Limestone resource have been established in the State of Meghalaya. The
details are provided in Annexure.
(b): The Ministry of Mines has instituted Sustainable Development Framework (SDF)
for taking up mining activity in the country, including in the State of Meghalaya,
encompassing inclusive growth, without adversely affecting the social, economic and
environmental well-being, at present and also in future generations. Adequate
provisions have been incorporated under Mineral Conservation and Development
Rules, 2017 mandating every lease holder to implement sustainable mining.
Provisions have also been incorporated mandating the submission of digital aerial
images (Drone/ Satellite imageries) which provide highly accurate aerial imagery and
3D mapping of lease areas.
Further, Star Rating of mines has been implemented through Indian Bureau of
Mines (IBM), a Subordinate office of the Ministry of Mines, which has a two-tier system
providing self-evaluation templates to be filled in by the mine operator followed by
validation by IBM through field inspection. A star rating from 0 to 5 is awarded every
year to each lessee based on their performance during the previous year.
*****Annexure
Resource of Limestone established by GSI in the State of Meghalaya since
MMDR Amendment Act 2015
Resource
Sl. Field
District Block (in Million
No. Season
Tonne)
1 Jaintia Hills 2015-16 Um-Maju Block, Litang Valley 69.43
2 Jaintia Hills 2015-16 Shyrwang Block 247.87
3 Jaintia Hills 2015-16 Jalaphet Block 61.66
4 East Jaintia Hills 2016-17 West of Ishamati Block 71.78
5 East Jaintia Hills 2016-17 North of Larket Block 247.45
6 East Jaintia Hills 2016-17 Shongrim-Molasngi Block 182.01
7 East Jaintia Hills 2016-17 Tongseng-Shongrim Block 202.60
8 East Jaintia Hills 2016-17 Mynthing Block 97.64
9 East Jaintia Hills 2017-18 Samasi-Pala Block 363.18
10 East Jaintia Hills 2017-18 East of Laphet area 607.65
11 East Jaintia Hills 2017-18 South of Akshe Block 559.35
12 East Jaintia Hills 2017-18 Umkyrpong area 496.82
13 East Jaintia Hills 2018-19 Akshe Block 516.70
14 East Jaintia Hills 2018-19 South East of Akshe Block 706.80
15 East Jaintia Hills 2018-19 North Pala Block 522.34
16 East Jaintia Hills 2019-20 Khaidong Shnongrim Block 385.21
17 East Jaintia Hills 2019-20 Lamarsiang Block 228.36
18 East Jaintia Hills 2019-20 South-West of Mynthlu Block 170.74
19 East Jaintia Hills 2023-24 Khunti Block 888.91