Rat-hole Mining Issue-

Why in news?

Acting on the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Meghalaya government suspended rat-hole
mining and transportation of coal in the entire state.

What is rat-hole mining ?
Most of the minerals in india are nationaliosed and their extraction is possible only after obtaining due
permission from the government BUT most of the tribal areas of N-E INDIA,minerals are owned by
individuals or communities.
In Meghalaya,there are large deposits of coal,iron ore ,limestone and dolomite etc.
Coal mining in Jowai and Cherapunjee is done by family members in the form of a long narrow
tunnel,known as Rat-holemining.
Mining done by family members or community which is not under government is called rat hole mining
in India. This is mainly done by tribals of north-east India. this is named so because they dig holes
similar to that of rat holes to mine.
What is the story?
National Green Tribunal was hearing the matter based on a complaint brought by the All Dimasa
Students' Union (ADSU) and the Dima Hasao district committee.
While passing the order, the tribunal quoted extensively from a study conducted by Professor OP Singh.
The Principal bench observed that neither the government nor the people were benefiting from the
"illegal mining" and only the "coal mafias" were benefiting.
Acting on the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Meghalaya government last week
suspended rat-hole mining and transportation of coal in the entire state.


National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for
effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to
1. environmental protection and conservation of forests
2. other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment
and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental
disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure,
1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
The Tribunal's dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy
environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.
The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals
finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and
Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.


Report on Rat-hole mining by O P Singh-
The report explained the environmental concerns over rat-hole mining activities

The report puts special emphasis on the impact of such mining activities in the water quality of the
region.

Report says that roadside dumping of coal is a major source of air, water and soil pollution. Off road
movement of trucks and other vehicles in the area for coal transportation also adds to the ecological
and environmental damage of the area.

Report specifies that the water is severely affected by acid mine drainage originating from mines and
spoils, leaching of heavy metals, organic enrichment and silting by coal and sand particles.

The pollution of the water, as the report points out, can be gauged by the colour of water which in most
of the rivers and streams in the mining area varies from brownish to reddish orange.

The water also has high concentration of sulphates, iron and toxic heavy metals, low dissolved oxygen
(DO) and high BOD, showing its degraded quality.

O.P.Singh = Professor of environmental studies of North Eastern Hills University of Shillong


How mining is done using rat-hole?
The method of rat-hole mining involves digging pits ranging from five to 100 m2 into the ground to
reach the coal seam.
Thereafter, tunnels are made into the seam sideways to extract he coal.
Coal seams are reached by excavating the side edge of the hill slopes and then coal is extracted through
a horizontal tunnel.
The coal from the tunnel or pit is taken out and dumped on nearby un-mined area, from where it is
carried to the larger dumping places near highways for its trade and transportation.

Rat-hole mining =Death traps ?
Rat-hole mining is a primitive method of mining that entails clearing ground vegetation and digging
pits ranging from five to 100 square metres to reach the coal seam.
Tunnels are dug sideways to extract the coal, which is excavated using a conical basket or a
wheelbarrow.
The coal is then dumped in unmined areas, from where it is transported close to highways for trade.
Entire stretches in and around these mining areas are used for piling the coal making these a major
source of air, water and soil pollution.
Also underage youths being employed in the mines, for this most of the under-age workers have been
illegally trafficked into the region from Nepal and Bangladesh by agents working for mine owners.
There is no medical aid, compensation, accommodation and any kind of sanitation facility for those
children. The children who form a group get Rs 2500 to Rs 4000 for filling a wooden box with coal per
week.

State's stand

1. The state government has decided to appeal to the tribunal to withdraw its recent order.
2. Mining and geology department is preparing necessary documents to appeal before the NGT.
Government could regulate mining activities once mining policy is in place.
3. The ban would affect livelihood of many people.
4. As far as child labour is concerned strict instructions have been issued to coal miners.
.
[Angry ] Miners stand
The tribunal's ban has made coal mine owners who say the livelihood of thousands would be at stake for
pleasing just a few. They want the green tribunal to elaborate on its contention that coal mining has not
benefitted the state or people except the "coal mafia."
It is wrong to say the mining community has been carrying out such activities illegally at their own will.
The government does not have a policy in place to regulate mining and the new mining policy drafted in
2012 has not yet been implemented.
Mining is an important economic activity that cannot afford to remain suspended.

Fast Fact-
Meghalaya has 576 million tonnes of coal.
The sub-bituminous coal is spread across in South Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills,
Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills.
Grey areas = Termed small-scale, these mines operate beyond the purview of the Coal Mines
(Nationalisation) Act.

References -
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
http://www.downtoearth.org.in
http://www.greentribunal.gov.in
Geography NCERT