Coal mine tragedy

Context: In a shocking incident that lays bare the thriving illegal coal mining
syndicate in Assam, around 15 workers were trapped inside a 340-feet-deep
quarry in Dima Hasao district on Monday. The body of one worker has been
retrieved and given the depth of water that inundated the mine, chances of
survival of the trapped miners are remote. Accidental deaths in illegally
operated mines are nothing new, with fatalities occurring with alarming
frequency. It is only when major accidents occur that things come into the public
domain. Workers in illegal mines extract coal under the most hazardous conditions
and without any protective measures. The thriving syndicate of illegal coal
mining has also been a major factor behind biodiversity loss and severe damage to
waterbodies, cropland and human health.

Key points

·       Overview: An investigation
into the accident is underway, as the mine is under prima facie, given that
illegal mining, including rat-hole mining, has been going on under the very
eyes of the government authorities for years.

·       Illegal
Coal Mining in India: Illegal coal mining has led to multiple fatalities,
including recent incidents in Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, highlighting
its prevalence and dangers. There are 10 workers who have died in illegal
mining incidents in Gujarat alone this year, showcasing the ongoing risks
associated with this activity. Illegal mining is often conducted in abandoned
mines or shallow coal seams, particularly in remote areas, where monitoring and
enforcement of regulations are weak.

·       Legal
Frameworks Governing Coal Mining in India: Coal Mines
(Nationalisation) Act, 1973 - This act nationalized coal mining in India,
regulating who can mine coal and under what conditions.

Mines and
Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) - This central
legislation governs the mining sector, detailing processes for acquiring mining
licenses and regulating mining activities. It empowers state governments to
frame rules to prevent illegal mining.

·       Factors
responsible for Illegal Coal Mining: High Demand for Coal -
With coal accounting for 55% of India’s energy needs, the high demand often
exceeds legal supply leading to illegal mining activities.

Weak Regulatory
Enforcement - Inadequate monitoring and enforcement of mining regulations in remote
areas allow illegal mining operations to flourish.

Political
Patronage - Allegations of political leaders’ involvement in illegal mining
operations complicate efforts to curb these activities, as seen in various
states.

Poverty and
Unemployment - Many coal-rich areas are home to impoverished populations who resort to
illegal mining as a source of livelihood due to limited job opportunities.

·       Risks
Workers Face: Lack of Safety Equipment - Workers often
operate without helmets, masks, or other protective gear, significantly
increasing their risk of injury or death.

Hazardous
Working Conditions - Illegal mines are typically unregulated, lacking
proper structural support, making them vulnerable to cave-ins, landslides, and
explosions.

Toxic Gas
Exposure - Miners are at risk of asphyxiation from inhaling toxic gases like carbon
monoxide, as evidenced by recent fatalities in Gujarat.

·       Conclusion: Need to
implement advanced surveillance technologies, such as drones and satellite
imaging, to monitor and detect illegal mining activities in real-time. This can
improve the efficiency of enforcement agencies in identifying and responding to
illegal operations swiftly.