ISM, XLRI to jointly study illegal mining

Kolkata, Oct 14: The Indian School of Mines (ISM) and XLRI, Jamshedpur will jointly conduct a study to assess the problem of illegal mining in West Bengal and Jharkhand, that had led to accidents and deaths in the past.

The study would assess the number of illegal mines and total coal reserves and see whether it is possible to run them on a cooperative basis, according to Coal India Ltd chairman Partha S Bhattacharya.

As per the recommendations of a high-powered committee looking into illegal mining, headed by the Union minister of state for coal Dasari Narayana Rao, the two institutes would conduct the study, he said.

Coal India would bear the cost of Rs 12 lakh for the study, he said after a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

The two institutes would give their suggestions as to how the problem of illegal mining could be tackled.

UNI