Concerns over illicit extraction and its effects on the environment have long made mining operations in Meghalaya a divisive topic. The state government has reiterated its dedication to regulation, stressing that current legislative frameworks closely oversee mining operations. In answer to a query from Heavingstone Kharpran, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma spoke to the Assembly and described the many rules that are in effect.
According to him, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 and the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules of 2016 govern sand quarrying and stone mining. Additionally, sand quarrying is governed by the 2020 Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining and the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016. Environmental organizations have cited continued illicit mining operations that harm forests and riverbeds in spite of these laws. The Chief Minister gave his word that enforcement organizations are keeping an eye on compliance and dealing with infractions.