Rat-Hole Mining

14-05-2024

Rat-Hole Mining

 Why in the news?   

A one-member panel appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya to handle coal-related issues has flagged the lack of progress in restoring the environment damaged by rat-hole coal mining in the northeastern State.

About Rat-Hole Mining

• Rat hole mining is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams, prevalent in Meghalaya.
• The term “rat hole” refers to the narrow pits dug into the ground, typically just large enough for one person to descend and extract coal.
• Once the pits are dug, miners descend using ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams. The coal is then manually extracted using primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
• Rat-hole mining is broadly classified into two categories: Side-cutting procedure and box-cutting.

      ○In the side-cutting procedure, narrow tunnels are dug on the hill slopes, and workers go inside until they find the coal seam.

     ○Box-cutting entails digging a circular or squarish pit at least 5 sq. meter in width up to a depth of 400 feet.

    ■Miners who drop down in makeshift cranes or using   rope-and-bamboo ladders dig horizontally after finding the coal seam.

   ■The tunnels are dug in every direction from the edge of the pit, resembling the tentacles of an octopus.

Environmental and safety concerns

• Rat hole mining poses significant safety and environmental hazards. The mines are typically unregulated, lacking safety measures such as proper ventilation, structural support, or safety gear for the workers.
• Additionally, the mining process can cause land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.
• This method of mining has faced severe criticism due to its hazardous working conditions, environmental damage, and numerous accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.
• Despite attempts by authorities to regulate or ban such practices, they often persist due to economic factors and the absence of viable alternative livelihoods for the local population.

When was it banned, and why?

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice in 2014, and retained the ban in 2015.
• The NGT observed, “It is also informed that there are umpteen number of cases where by virtue of rat-hole mining, during the rainy season, water flooded into the mining areas resulting in death of many individuals including employees/workers.”
• The order was in connection with Meghalaya, where this remained a prevalent procedure for coal mining. The state government then appealed the order in the Supreme Court.

                Source: The Hindu

Consider the following statements regarding the Rat hole mining:

1.It is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams, prevalent in Meghalaya.

2.The coal is manually extracted using primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.

3.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer C