Syllabus: GS3/ Mineral & Energy Resources; Distribution of Key Natural Resources
Context
- Recently, a tragic incident occurred in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso in Dima Hasao district of Assam, where several workers became trapped in a coal mine due to flooding, which has brought the dangerous practice of ‘rat-hole’ mining back into the spotlight.
What is Rat Hole Mining?
- About: It is a method of coal extraction that involves digging narrow, horizontal tunnels into the ground.
- These tunnels are typically just wide enough for one person to crawl through and extract coal.
- Prevalent & Causes: It is prevalent in the northeastern states of India, particularly in Meghalaya and Assam because of poverty, lack of alternative livelihood, and economic viability etc.
- The region’s hilly terrain and the nature of its coal deposits make conventional mining methods challenging, leading to the adoption of this rudimentary technique.
- Poor enforcement of mining laws left workers more susceptible to rat hole mining.
- Types:
- Side-Cutting: Narrow tunnels are dug horizontally into the hill slopes until the coal seam is found.
- Box-Cutting: A rectangular opening is made, and a vertical pit is dug until the coal seam is reached. Horizontal tunnels are then created to extract the coal.
| Current Laws and Regulations Related to Mining in India – Mines and Minerals Act, 1957: It governs the mining of minerals in India, including their exploration, extraction, and management. 1. Illegal mining, such as rat-hole mining, violates provisions of this Act, leading to penalties and legal action. – Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973: Restricts mining activities to government and authorized entities. 1. Rat-hole mining is often unregulated and conducted outside this framework, making it illegal. – Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (EPA): Requires environmental clearances for mining activities. Rat-hole mining bypasses these regulations, causing severe environmental damage. – Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012: It was introduced to regulate mining practices in the state. However, enforcement has been weak, and rat-hole mining continues illegally. |
Issues with Rat-Hole Mining
- Environmental Impact: The unregulated nature of rat-hole mining leads to severe land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.
- Rivers such as Lukha and Myntdu have become too acidic to sustain aquatic life due to the high concentrations of sulphates, iron, and toxic heavy metals.
- Health Risks: The mines lack proper ventilation, structural support, and safety measures, making them prone to collapses and flooding. Miners face diseases like lung infections from coal dust.
- Social Problems: It causes exploitation of child labor and poorly paid workers. Also, leads to displacement of local communities.
- Legal Violations: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014 due to its hazardous nature and for being unscientific, although the practice remains widespread.
- Despite the ban, illegal mining continues, driven by the demand for coal and the economic benefits it provides to local communities.
Ways to Regulate Rat-Hole Mining
- Strengthen Legal Enforcement: Enforce the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and related laws strictly. Penalize illegal mining activities and confiscate equipment used in rat-hole mining.
- Conduct regular inspections to monitor compliance.
- Child Labor Eradication: Strictly enforce the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
- Promote education by providing schools and scholarships in mining-affected areas.
- Adopt Sustainable Mining Practices: Replace rat-hole mining with scientific and mechanized methods to minimize environmental damage and ensure safety.
- Promote Alternative Livelihoods: Create employment opportunities in agriculture, handicrafts, eco-tourism, and other industries.
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