Recently, several workers have been trapped in a coal “rat-hole” mine after it was flooded with water in Dima Hasao district of Assam.

What is Rat-Hole Mining?

• A primitive and illegal coal mining technique involving the creation of narrow tunnels, called “rat holes,” which are barely wide enough for a single person.
• Workers manually extract coal using basic tools like pickaxes and shovels.
• Commonly practiced in India’s northeastern states, particularly in Meghalaya.

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Types of Rat-Hole Mining

• Side-Cutting Procedure:
  • Tunnels are dug into hill slopes to locate thin coal seams, often less than 2 meters thick.
  • Coal is manually extracted from these tunnels.
• Box-Cutting Procedure:
  • A rectangular opening (10–100 sqm) is made to dig a vertical pit (100–400 feet deep).
  • Horizontal tunnels are created for coal extraction once the coal seam is found.

Causes of Rat-Hole Mining

• Economic Factors:
  • Poverty and lack of alternative livelihood opportunities drive local populations to engage in rat-hole mining.
  • The quick cash generated from coal extraction incentivizes this hazardous practice despite the risks involved.
• Land Ownership Issues:
  • Ambiguous land ownership titles create regulatory loopholes that allow illegal mining to persist.
• Coal Demand:
  • The constant demand for coal, both legal and illegal, sustains the practice.
  • Middlemen and illegal traders perpetuate the cycle, putting miners’ lives at risk.
• Policy Gaps:
  • Weak enforcement of regulations and oversight allows illegal operators to exploit the system.
  • Special provisions like Article 371A in Nagaland complicate government efforts to regulate mining activities on privately owned land.

Key Issues with Rat-Hole Mining

• Human Safety Concerns:
  • Narrow tunnels are prone to collapses, trapping miners underground.
  • Poor ventilation leads to suffocation and exposure to hazardous gases.
  • Lack of safety equipment increases the risk of accidents and diseases.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Deforestation: Trees are cleared to create access points.

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• • Land Degradation: Unplanned digging scars the landscape and erodes topsoil.
  • Water Pollution: Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Causes water contamination and biodiversity loss.
  • Air Pollution: Results from coal burning and inadequate ventilation. Social Concerns:
    • Child labor is common due to the small size of tunnels.
    • Displacement of local communities leads to loss of livelihoods.

Regulatory Framework

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) Ban:
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice in 2014, and retained the ban in 2015 in Meghalaya, citing safety concerns and environmental degradation.
  • Despite the ban, illegal mining continues due to weak enforcement and economic dependence.
• Nagaland’s Coal Mining Policy (2006):
  • Nagaland permits regulated small-scale mining under its 2006 policy.
  • Licenses are granted for limited durations and conditions, but illegal mining persists due to inadequate oversight.

Way Forwards

• Livelihood Alternatives: Providing sustainable income sources such as skill development programs, tourism, and handicrafts can help communities move away from mining.
  • Microfinance opportunities can support alternative ventures.
• Sustainable Mining Practices: Exploring safer methods like bord-and-pillar mining or small-scale mechanized mining can reduce risks while maintaining economic viability.
• Strengthening Enforcement: Strict penalties and enhanced monitoring systems are needed to curb illegal mining activities.
  • Regulatory bodies should be empowered with the necessary resources for effective oversight.
• Promoting Renewable Energy: Investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power can reduce dependence on coal mining.
• Community Empowerment: Raising awareness about the risks of rat-hole mining and providing training programs for safer practices are essential.

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Conclusion

Rat-hole mining remains a pressing issue in India, driven by economic necessity and regulatory gaps. A multi-pronged approach that combines strict enforcement, sustainable livelihoods, modern mining techniques, and investments in renewable energy is crucial to phase out rat-hole mining while ensuring the well-being of affected communities.

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