SHILLONG, June 3? The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) will adopt the open-cast method of mining uranium at Domiasiat in the West Khasi Hills to ensure safety to the people and the environment. Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) officials told media-persons that with the commencement of uranium mining, the people living in the vicinity would also be benefited as the UCIL would invest a large sum of money for development of the area.
It may be mentioned that there has ben strong public opposition to the proposed uranium mining in Domiasiat as it is widely felt that mining would destroy the environment and cause health hazards. Exporters stir: Exporters have threatened to launch indefinite agitation if the government does not scale down the enhanced royalty on coal.
The royalty was recently enhanced by the Centre from Rs 120 to Rs 165 per metric tonne. The State government meanwhile has hinted at taking stringent measures against exporters who decline to accept the revised royalty. Exporters of the State, particularly those from the border areas of Dawki and Borsora have rejected the enhanced royalty. Border trade would be severely affected if the exporters launch agitation.