Rat hole mining

It is a primitive and hazardous method of mining for coal, with tunnels that are only 3-4 feet in diameter (hence, rat-hole), leading to pits ranging from 5-100 sq. mt deep. 

• There are two types of rat-holes: when dug into the ground these are vertical shafts leading to the mines where horizontal tunnels are dug; the second type is where horizontal holes are dug directly in the hillsides to reach coal seams (bed of coal). 
• The coal is taken out manually, loaded into a bucket or a wheelbarrow and dumped on a nearby un-mined area. From here, it is carried to larger coal dumps near highways for trade and transportation.
• Rat hole mining cheaper than other conventional mining methods and also hilly geography necessitate such mining method.

Coal reserves:

• Coal reserves are primarily found in the Eastern India in states of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and predominantly in North-East regions like Assam and Meghalaya.
• Despite the presence of coal reserves, commercial mining is not practiced in the North-Eastern regions because of terrain’s unsuitability as well as nature of coal deposits. 
• Open mining cannot be practiced due to the added difficulties. Further, the coal found in North-East contains lots of sulfur. 
• This overall reduces the energy efficiency and therefore this type of coal is categorized as bad quality of coal.

Impact of Rat Hole Mining :

• 15 workers were trapped in a 320-350 feet-deep coal mine in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya after it was flooded by waters of the nearby Lytein river. 
• Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Navy are on to locate the trapped workers.
• The recent mishap is one of several such accidents that have taken place over the past few years, leading to the death of workers.
• Water from rivers and streams in the mining area has become unfit for drinking and irrigation, and is toxic to plants and animals. 
• A study by the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, says the Kopili river has turned acidic due to the discharge of acidic water from mines and the leaching of heavy metals.
• Layers of rock above the coal removed during mining contain traces of iron, manganese and aluminium that get dissolved from mining sites through the acid run-off or are washed into streams as sediment.
• due to small size of tunnel, there is incidences of employing children as worker; no social security for migrants workers from nearby states.
• Cultural concern: rampant illegal mining destroying natural caves in jaintia hills.

Rat-hole mining is illegal:

• The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014 on a petition that said acidic discharge from the mines was polluting the Kopili river. 
• But the practice continues unabated. 
• Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012 does not address rat hole mining issue
• The government of Meghalaya controls only 5% land rest either community or privately owned which undermines effective regulations
• Misuse of 6th Schedule of Constitution which provides tribal communities right over -land and use of its resources- by illegal miners and local councils

Way forward:

• Mining has provided jobs to local people. Following the ban, there are demands for rehabilitation or alternative employment. 
• Effective implementation of 6th schedule
• Diversifying livelihood opportunities
• Stringent implementation of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act which prohibits operation of illegal mining under state accountability