Australia to invest in Uramiun mining in Meghalaya: McCarthy

Shillong, May 21 (UNI) Australia is keen to invest in Meghalaya for uranium mining operations and share the technologies for safe mining, Australian High Commissioner to India John Philip McCarthy said here.

The offer made by Australia assumed significance in the backdrop of anti-mining groups agitating against the state government and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).

The state government has decided to go ahead with UCIL's proposal to develop an open cast mining at Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium ore and processing project at Mawthabah in state's West Khasi Hills district.

The uranium ore deposits in those areas have an average grade of 0.085 per cent, official sources said.

''We want to invest in Meghalaya for mining uranium, coal, limestone and others provided if the country welcomes us,'' Mr John Philip McCarthy told UNI here late last night.

He also met Governor B L Joshi and Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee and hold discussions in this regard.

''Though our companies are interested for investments in India, we need to do certain changes to make things feasible,'' Mr McCarthy said.

The estimated Rs 300 crore project in 1992, which had been revised to Rs 814 crore was strongly opposed by the Hills State People's Democratic Party and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, which are the allies of Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, along with the Khasi Student's Union and other union.

The anti-mining groups have opposed the project fearing health and environment hazards in the state.

The uranium deposits in the state is the largest, richest, near-surface and low-cost, the sandstone-type uranium deposit spread over a 10-square-kilometer area and varying from 8-47 metres from the surface.

UNI