Rat-Hole Mining recently came into the limelight when this technique was employed to rescue 41 laborers trapped inside the Silkyari tunnel in Uttarakhand. This mining modality refers to a method of extracting coal from thin, horizontal seams, predominantly seen in situations in states like Meghalaya. The term “rat hole”defines the small pits dug into the earth, with their dimensions limited to just about the size of a person for them to descend and extract coal.
Detailed Analysis of Rat-Hole Mining
Utilizing ropes or bamboo ladders, miners maneuver down these holes to access the coal seams. The extraction process of coal is completely manual, involving the use of primitive tools, such as pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
Varieties of Rat-Hole Mining
Two primary procedures, namely, Side-Cutting Procedure and Box-Cutting, befall under rat-hole mining. In the former, narrow tunnels are dug on the hill slopes, and the miners proceed inside until they locate the coal seam. Contrarily, Box-cutting requires a rectangular opening to be made, through which a vertical pit is dug to reach the coal seam.
The Hazards Surrounding Rat-Hole Mining
Despite its effectiveness, rat-hole mining teems with safety and environmental threats. These mines are typically uncontrolled, devoid of critical safety measures such as apt ventilation, structural support, or safety gear for the miners. Additionally, this method adversely impacts the environment, with issues like acidification of rivers, land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution linked to it.
Acid Mine Drainage: An Environmental Nightmare
The acidic runoff from these mines, referred to as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), has been specifically injurious. It unsettles water quality and dwindles biodiversity in the affected water bodies. Despite attempted regulations and bans on such practices, rat-hole mining persists due to economic pressures and the lack of alternative livelihoods for the local community.
Why Rat-Hole Mining Received a Ban
In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) put a ban on rat-hole mining citing it as unscientific, but the practice still flourishes. Numerous accidents involving rat-hole miners have led to fatalities. Moreover, the mining method generates significant environmental pollution which adds to its detrimental attributes. Yet, the practice remains crucial for state revenue generation.
The Dispute over Necessity vs Impact
The Manipur government contested the NGT ban, arguing that the region had no other feasible mining options. Meanwhile, a panel appointed by the Meghalaya High Court in 2022 discovered that rat-hole mining was still rampant in Meghalaya. A question that arises from the UPSC Civil Services Examination (2017) encapsulates the crux of this issue: “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Therefore, this prompts a critical discussion on finding a balance between environmental conservation and regional development.