Parliamentary secretary for Geology & Mining, Y. Patton has said systematic and scientific development of groundwater resources would become the main focus for all round development in a hilly state like Nagaland.
Addressing the 28th State Geological Programming Board (SGPB) meeting Tuesday in Dimapur, the parliamentary secretary said professionals and scientists have to formulate ways for development of groundwater resources in hilly areas of the State.
“The demand of water in all developmental sectors is ever increasing due to rapid urbanization and developmental activities in hilly areas, but whereas surface water is becoming scarce. The issue of need based utilization of groundwater resources in hilly areas is becoming vital and inevitable,” Patton said.
Commenting on development of coal resources in the State, he said implementation of the State Coal Policy and Rules had contributed to the State’s revenue, and that further development of coal resources would provide more avenues for setting up of coal based industries.
Patton said in a bid to boost mineral development in Nagaland, the State government had signed MoUs with various firms and undertaking including the one with Trident Mineral Resources Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, for joint exploration of minerals and to record feasible studies of important minerals like gold, chromium, nickel, platinum, and other base metal covering an area of 1850 Sq. Km under Pokphur and Zephuhu blocks in Tuensang and Phek districts.
He also said another broad MoU was signed between Government of Nagaland and M/s Resources Cement Ltd, Kolkata to set up a mega cement plant at Laluri under Phek district based on Nimi limestone deposit.
He further informed that the State government had inked a deal with Prithvi Energy Ltd. Kolkata to set up Thermal Plant based on coal resources from outside the state.
“Techno-economic feasibility studies of nickel- cobalt- chromium bearing magnetite at Pokphur in collaboration with National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur is under progress,” he added.
However, Patton lamented that mineral development in Nagaland had not achieved the desired result due to “various constraints”, while pointing out that State’s economy through mineral resource could be achieved only trough application of advanced technology.
Director of Geology & Mining, HK Chishi in his introductory speech said the department had taken up investigation for coal, base metals, sulphide, noble metals, semi-precious stones, dimension stones, ground water exploration and development, geo-technical studies and prospect of geo-tourism industries in the state.
Highlights of the programme included power point presentation on mineralization of Ni-Cu-Fe-PGE & Base metals in Nagaland Ophiolite Belt (NOB) by Exploration Director, Trident Mineral Resources Pvt.Ltd. Bangalore, Dr. V.N. Vasudev.
Principal secretary, Geology & Mining HK Khulu chaired the programme.
Saturday, July 5, 2025