Meghalaya coal reserves stand at 460 MT

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) The coal reserves in the North Eastern State of Meghalaya are estimated at around 460 Million Tonnes (MT), according to the findings of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

The report states that the coal reserves detected in Meghalaya are high grade sub-bituminous with less ash content compared to the coal found in any other parts of the country and are being termed as ''tertiary coal'' which is found in all the districts in the state.

The GSI carried out this study in January 2005. Earlier, the Meghalaya Government had also carried out a similar study on its coal reserves status which puts the coal reserves at 640 MT of which Garo Hills alone contains 359 MT.

Some other prominent coalfields in the state are west Dadenggiri, Siju, Balpakram, Pyndengrei, Langrin, Mawlong-Shella, Laitryngew and Bapung.

Meghalaya is blessed with abundant mineral resources like coal, lime stone, kaolin, felspar, quartz, gypsum and bauxite, the report added.

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