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What is rat hole mining that saved workers trapped in Silkyara tunnel?

41 workers were trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel efforts were unsuccessful. A banned mining technique called Rat-hole mining

By Ground Report 29 Nov 2023

New Update

What is rat hole mining that saved workers trapped in Silkyara tunnel?

41 workers were trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, and traditional rescue efforts were unsuccessful. However, a banned mining technique called Rat-hole mining came to the rescue.

After a series of setbacks, a multi-agency operation successfully rescued 41 trapped workers on Tuesday. Despite the challenges, social media lauded the rat-hole miners for their role in the complex rescue operation.

Feroze Qureshi and Monu Kumar, renowned experts in the rat-hole mining technique, were the first to meet the rescued labourers from the Silkyara tunnel on Tuesday night. They were among the 12-member team of experts called in on Sunday to conduct drilling, as an American auger machine encountered obstacles while clearing the rubble.

What is rat hole mining?

Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal by digging small, vertical shafts into the ground. The shafts are usually 3–4 feet deep and 4 feet wide, and are only wide enough for one miner to descend. Once the miners reach the coal seam, they make sideways tunnels to extract the coal. The coal is then dumped nearby and transported via highways.

Rat-hole mining is a rudimentary and hazardous method of coal extraction. It is illegal in many countries due to increasing cases of miners dying from asphyxiation, lack of oxygen, and hunger.

In the side-cutting procedure, narrow tunnels are carved out on hill slopes. Workers enter these tunnels until they locate a coal seam. On the other hand, the box-cutting method requires miners to first dig a vertical rectangular pit and then drill horizontally as necessary to reach the coal seam.

Why is rat-mining banned?

Despite its widespread use, rat-hole mining was prohibited in 2014 by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) due to its unscientific nature. However, it continues to be practiced unregulated across India, predominantly in several northeastern states.

"Rat-hole" mining used in the northeastern state of Meghalaya to extract thin seams of coal. However, in 2014, an environmental court banned the practice due to environmental damage and numerous fatalities associated with it. Furthermore, the mining process can lead to land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.

The working conditions in these mines are often hazardous, lacking proper ventilation, safety equipment, or structural support, leading to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.

Furthermore, the practice has been associated with numerous fatalities and accidents, highlighting the significant safety risks faced by miners working in these hazardous conditions. The ban on rat-hole mining was also prompted by concerns about the exploitation of natural resources without proper regulation and oversight, emphasizing the need for sustainable and responsible mining practices.

The prohibition of this mining method underscores the imperative to protect the environment, safeguard the well-being of local communities, and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources for future generations.

Impact of Rat Hole Mining on the Environment

Rat-hole mining, a hazardous and unregulated practice predominantly found in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, has had severe environmental repercussions. The method involves digging narrow, vertical pits to access coal seams, resulting in land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution.

The uncontrolled extraction of coal has led to the destruction of vast forested areas, disrupting the delicate balance of local ecosystems and causing irreparable harm to biodiversity.

Moreover, the mining activity has led to the contamination of water sources, impacting both aquatic life and the communities reliant on these water bodies for drinking and irrigation. The indiscriminate dumping of mining waste, including coal dust and debris, has further exacerbated the pollution of nearby waterways, posing significant health risks to the local population.

The environmental impact of rat-hole mining extends beyond immediate concerns, with long-term consequences for the region's ecological stability. Efforts to curb this destructive practice and mitigate its environmental effects have been essential, prompting regulatory measures and interventions to address the damage caused by decades of uncontrolled coal extraction.

The need for sustainable and responsible mining practices is evident, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the environment and the well-being of local communities in resource-rich areas.