In Assam three opencast mines viz Tirap OC, Tikak OC and Ledo OC are in operation under North Eastern Coalfields Limited of Coal India Limited. In Meghalaya, coal is being produced by the local people as per the extant customary and tribal land rights.
In the state of Assam, five more new opencast mines viz. Lekhapani OC, Tikak Extension OC, Tipong OC, PQ Block OC and Lachitkhani OC are proposed to be opened. In Meghalaya, the only lease held by NEC, CIL is Simsang, which had expired in 2008 and its renewal is yet to be received from the State of Meghalaya. In the absence of renewal of lease in the state of Meghalaya, at present no more mines has been planned to be opened by NEC, CIL.