Nagaland is preparing to spend nearly Rs 27.5 crore to find out how much coal lies beneath parts of Mongchen and Dibuia villages in Mokokchung district, with the government proposing a fresh round of exploration in the area.
The Directorate of Geology and Mining has invited bids for detailed exploration of Dibuia Coal Block A, covering 5.01 square kilometres in the Melak-Tzurang coalfield. The exercise is intended to establish the extent of the coal deposits and assess whether they hold sufficient reserves for possible future development.
The proposed exploration follows earlier drilling in the area. According to the tender document, 11 boreholes have already been drilled, covering a total depth of 2,214.30 metres. The investigations identified four coal-bearing zones containing 10 coal seams, with coal found at depths ranging from around six metres to 190 metres below the surface.
The next phase will involve drilling 27 additional boreholes to investigate the deposits more thoroughly. In simple terms, the exercise is meant to give the government a clearer picture of how far the coal seams extend underground, their thickness and quality, and the quantity of coal available.
The proposed work is not an approval to open a coal mine. It is a geological investigation to establish the coal reserves at a more advanced level of assessment. Any decision on commercial mining would involve separate processes and applicable approvals.
The tender also brings attention to the land on which the exploration will take place. The block falls within the areas of Mongchen and Dibuia villages, with the Asangmayong drainage channel marking the boundary between them. Located along the Changkikong hill range, the site is about 64 kilometres from Mokokchung town, with Mangkolemba being the nearest township.
Under the tender conditions, the contractor will have to arrange or hire land for drilling sites and related operations and pay compensation to landowners.
After drilling, the contractor is required to seal the boreholes, remove equipment, fill and level excavation pits and restore the sites to their original condition.
The document also requires separate work schedules for exploration in forest and non-forest areas. It provides for the collection of environmental information, including water and soil quality, flora and fauna, land use, air quality and noise levels, based on information available from statutory agencies.
The proposed contract has a total duration of 690 days. The exploration will involve 15,710 metres of diamond core drilling across 27 boreholes, although the final drilling quantity may vary by up to 30 per cent depending on geological conditions. The work also includes testing coal quality and preparing detailed geological reports.
The tender was issued on October 27, with bids scheduled to close on November 26 at 5 pm. Technical bids are to be opened on November 27 at 11 am.
While the proposed exercise is intended to establish the extent and quality of the coal deposits, its findings could become important in determining the future of the block. For the villages concerned, the immediate questions include how exploration will be carried out on the ground, how landowners will be compensated and what safeguards will apply if the area is considered for further development.