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Workers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine

Several workers have been trapped for over 12 hours in a flooded coal "rat-hole" mine in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, India. Rescue operations are underway.  

Here's a simplified explanation:

What happened? A coal mine flooded in Assam, trapping workers inside.  

What is "rat-hole" mining? A dangerous and primitive way of mining coal, especially common in Meghalaya. It involves digging very small, narrow pits (the "rat holes") just big enough for one person to climb down.  

How does rat-hole mining work? Miners use ropes or bamboo ladders to descend into the pits and use basic tools like pickaxes and shovels to dig out the coal by hand.  

What are the two types of rat-hole mining?

  • Side-cutting: Digging narrow tunnels into hillsides to reach coal seams.  

  • Box-cutting: Creating a large rectangular opening and then digging a vertical shaft down to the coal, followed by horizontal tunnels.  

Why is rat-hole mining dangerous?

  • Unregulated: These mines usually don't have proper safety measures like ventilation or structural support.  

  • Lack of Safety Gear: Miners often don't have safety equipment.  

  • Environmental Damage: It causes land damage, deforestation, and water pollution.  

  • Accidents: There are frequent accidents, leading to injuries and deaths.  

Is rat-hole mining legal? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014 and reaffirmed the ban in 2015, especially in Meghalaya, where it was widespread. The NGT was concerned about deaths from flooding. The Meghalaya government appealed this ban to the Supreme Court.  

What is happening with the rescue operation?

  • Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), are involved. The Army has also been called for help.  

  • Pumps are being used to remove water from the flooded mine.  

  • The rescue is slow, causing concern for the trapped workers' families.

Key Facts:

  • Rat-hole mining is common in Meghalaya.  

  • The NGT banned it due to safety concerns.  

  • Side-cutting and box-cutting are the two main types.  

  • Coal seams are often less than 2 meters thick.  

  • It causes serious environmental damage.  

In simple terms: Workers are trapped in a flooded coal mine in Assam. This type of mining, called "rat-hole" mining, is very dangerous and has been banned because it is unsafe and harms the environment. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the flooding makes it difficult


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