The recent incident in Assam’s Dima Hasao district highlights the persistent dangers and controversies surrounding rat-hole mining.
What is Rat-Hole Mining?
- Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams.
- Methodology: Narrow tunnels are dug to extract coal from thin seams, with two primary techniques:
- Side-Cutting: Tunnels are dug horizontally into hill slopes.
- Box-Cutting: A vertical shaft leads to horizontal tunnels once the coal seam is located.
- Labor-Intensive: Miners use basic tools and manually transport coal.
- Prevalence: Common in Meghalaya due to its topography and coal seam characteristics.
Hazards of Rat-Hole Mining:
- Worker Safety:
- Lack of proper safety measures.
- Risks of flooding, collapse, and suffocation due to poor ventilation.
- Environmental Impact:
- Land degradation and deforestation.
- Water pollution from acid mine drainage and release of toxic substances.
- Regulatory Concerns:
- Often unregulated and illegal.
- Exploitation of labor, including children, in hazardous conditions.
Legal Status:
- Ban by NGT: The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014, citing safety and environmental concerns.
- Appeals: The Meghalaya government challenged the ban in the Supreme Court, highlighting the socio-economic dependency on mining in the region.
Conclusion:
The recent flooding incident underscores the ongoing practice of rat-hole mining despite the ban, particularly in regions where enforcement is weak. This tragedy calls attention to the need for stricter regulation, alternative livelihood options for workers, and sustainable mining practices.
