Daily Current Affairs : 29-November-2023
Rat-hole mining, a perilous practice in the extraction of coal, has recently gained attention due to its use in rescuing trapped workers in the Uttarkashi tunnel. This essay delves into the intricacies of rat-hole mining, exploring its types, associated concerns, legal status, and the reasons behind its persistence.
What is Rat-Hole Mining?
- Definition: The term “rat hole” describes narrow pits (3-4 feet high) where a single person can descend to extract coal.
- Extraction Process: Miners use ropes or bamboo ladders to reach coal seams, extracting coal manually with basic tools like pickaxes and shovels.
Types of Rat-Hole Mining:
- Side-Cutting Procedure:
- Narrow tunnels on hill slopes.
- Miners delve until the coal seam is found.
- Box-Cutting:
- Rectangular openings (10 to 100 sqm).
- Vertical pits (100 to 400 feet deep).
- Horizontal rat-hole-sized tunnels for coal extraction.
Concerns of Rat-Hole Mining:
- Safety Concerns:
- Small and unstable tunnels lacking safety measures.
- Previous incidents, such as the 2018 East Jaintia Hills mine disaster.
- Environmental Issues:
- Land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.
- Acidification of Kopili River due to mining in Meghalaya.
- Loss of Lives:
- Hazardous conditions leading to injuries and fatalities.
- Criticism and calls for safer practices.
- Child Labor:
- Due to tunnel size, children are employed for their ability to navigate cramped spaces.
Legal Status of Rat-Hole Mining:
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014.
- Despite bans, the practice persists in northeastern India due to various factors.
Reasons for the Persistence:
- Lack of Alternative Livelihood:
- Limited alternative employment opportunities.
- Difficulty for miners to transition to other professions.
- Lack of Political Will:
- Rat hole mining as a primary revenue source for some regions.
- Authorities hesitate to take strict action due to economic implications.
- Poverty:
- Economic challenges and poverty drive individuals to engage in rat-hole mining for survival.
- Economic Viability:
- No economically viable alternatives in regions like Meghalaya.
- Other methods would be costlier due to the thin coal seam and challenging terrain.
Important Points:
- What is Rat-Hole Mining?
- Narrow pits (3-4 feet) for coal extraction.
- Manual extraction with basic tools.
- Miners use ropes or bamboo ladders.
- Types of Rat-Hole Mining:
- Side-cutting on hill slopes.
- Box-cutting with rectangular openings.
- Horizontal rat-hole-sized tunnels for extraction.
- Concerns:
- Safety issues: Small, unstable tunnels.
- Environmental impact: Land degradation, deforestation, water pollution.
- Previous incidents: 2018 East Jaintia Hills mine disaster.
- Child labor due to tunnel size.
- Legal Status:
- NGT banned rat-hole mining in 2014.
- Persistence in northeastern India despite bans.
- Reasons for Persistence:
- Lack of alternative livelihood.
- Political reluctance due to revenue reliance.
- Poverty driving engagement.
- Economic viability in regions like Meghalaya.
Why In News
Rat-hole mining, a risky but expedient method, has commenced to rescue the trapped workers in the Uttarkashi tunnel, showcasing the urgency of the situation and the lengths being taken to ensure their safe extraction.
MCQs about Rat-Hole Mining in India
-
Which type of rat-hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels on hill slopes?
A. Side-cutting procedure
B. Box-cutting
C. Vertical extraction
D. Slope mining
-
What led to the ban on rat-hole mining by the National Green Tribunal in 2014?
A. Economic reasons
B. Environmental degradation and threats to miners’ lives
C. Lack of political will
D. Technological obsolescence
-
What is a significant reason behind the persistence of rat-hole mining despite bans?
A. Abundance of alternative livelihood options
B. Strict enforcement of regulations
C. Economic challenges and poverty
D. Advanced mining technologies
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