28 Nov 2023 Rat-Hole Mining
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Rat-Hole Mining”. This topic has relevance in the Economy section of the UPSC CSE exam.
GS 3: Economy
Why in the news?
Recently, the efforts to rescue workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel have brought attention to the use of horizontal auger machines and the adoption of rat-hole mining practices.
Horizontal Auger Machines:
Definition and Functionality:
- Also known as horizontal boring machines or directional drills. It is a specialized tool for creating horizontal bores or underground tunnels without surface disturbance.
- Comprise a rotating helical screw blade (auger) attached to a central shaft or drill.
- Commonly used in construction, utility installations, and infrastructure projects.
Working Mechanism:
- It is positioned at the bore’s starting point on the surface.
- It consists of a drill head with a rotating auger or drill string. The auger cuts through soil, rock, or other materials underground.
- Rotation is powered by hydraulic or mechanical systems and the material removal is facilitated by drilling fluid or mud pumped through the drill string.
Rat-Hole Mining:
- It is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams, prevalent in Meghalaya. It involves narrow pits (“rat holes”) dug into the ground for coal extraction.
- Miners descend using ropes or bamboo ladders to reach coal seams.
- Manual extraction using primitive tools like pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
Types of Rat-Hole Mining:
- Side-Cutting Procedure: Narrow tunnels dug on hill slopes until the coal seam is found. Coal seams in Meghalaya are typically thin, less than 2 meters.
- Box-Cutting: A rectangular opening is made, followed by a vertical pit, and horizontal rat-hole-sized tunnels for coal extraction.
Environmental and Safety Concerns:
- Unregulated mines lacking safety measures.
- Potential for land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.
- Hazardous working conditions, accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Ban on Rat-Hole Mining:
- Banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 and retained in 2015. cited reasons include flooding during the rainy season, resulting in deaths and environmental damage.
- Despite bans, challenges persist due to economic factors and the lack of alternative livelihoods.
download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 28th November 2023
Q.1 With reference to the rat-hole mining, consider the following statements:
- Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams, prevalent in Maharashtra.
- The Supreme Court banned rat-hole mining in 2014.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: D
Q.2 Evaluate the reasons behind the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ban on rat-hole mining.
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