Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, called for a shift towards scientific and sustainable mining practices in the state, stressing that mineral wealth must generate long-term economic opportunities and raise living standards for local communities. His remarks came as the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) marked 10 years of operation at a function in Shillong.

DMF's Decade of Impact

Highlighting the foundation's performance, Chief Minister Sangma said the DMF had mobilised ₹181 crore in Meghalaya over the past decade and sanctioned 923 projects, of which 542 have been completed. The completed initiatives span classrooms, healthcare facilities, drinking water supply networks, and monsoon-resilient footbridges — addressing core infrastructure gaps in mining-affected communities.

Environmental restoration has also featured prominently in the DMF's portfolio, with investments in water conservation structures and tree plantation drives in quarry areas, signalling an effort to offset the ecological costs of extraction activity.

Sangma's Vision: Beyond Infrastructure

The Chief Minister emphasised that the DMF's next decade must move beyond physical infrastructure to creating assets that generate sustainable incomes. He cited several examples already supported through DMF funding: an eco-tourism park and a value-added bee products unit at Nengmandalgre, silkworm rearing and a weaving centre in Ri Bhoi district, and a district emporium showcasing locally produced goods.

Sangma argued that investments in tourism, food processing, and local enterprises could help Meghalaya build what he described as a 'regenerative economy' — one in which the benefits of mineral resources continue flowing to communities even as extraction eventually winds down.

The Governance Challenge

The Chief Minister urged district administrations to ensure that available DMF funds are utilised effectively and that ongoing projects are completed without unnecessary delays. He also called for closer coordination between district authorities and local communities to maximise development impact — a pointed acknowledgement that fund utilisation and project execution have not always matched the scale of mobilisation.

This comes amid longstanding scrutiny of mining governance in Meghalaya, where illegal coal mining has periodically triggered environmental and safety controversies. The DMF was established specifically to direct a portion of mining revenues towards the welfare of communities and regions most affected by extraction activities.

Balancing Mining with Community Welfare

Sangma underscored the need to balance the economic importance of mining with environmental protection, community welfare, and livelihood diversification. He stressed that the state's mining practices must also account for local conditions and Meghalaya's traditional system of community land ownership — a legally and socially distinct feature of the state's land tenure framework that complicates the straightforward application of national mining law.

With 381 projects still under implementation, the pace of completion and the quality of outcomes in the DMF's second decade will be the real measure of whether the foundation's model delivers on its promise.