Knowledge Booster: Rat-Hole Mining

Subject: Environment
Relevance: Rat-hole mining is a critical issue intersecting various subjects relevant to the UPSC syllabus, including environmental degradation, illegal mining practices, labor rights, and sustainable development policies.

Why in the News?

On January 6, 2025, at least nine workers were trapped in a coal “rat-hole” mine in the Dima Hasao district of Assam after it was flooded. Three miners were confirmed dead while six others remained trapped. The Indian Navy dispatched a team of deep-sea divers to assist in the rescue operation, where water levels reached 200 feet inside the mine.

Key Takeaways

1. Definition and Methodology:
   • Rat-hole mining refers to a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams. The term describes the small pits dug into the ground, typically just large enough for one person to enter and extract coal.
   • Miners descend into these pits using ropes or bamboo ladders and manually extract coal with basic tools like pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
2. Types of Rat-Hole Mining:
   • Side-Cutting Mining: Involves digging narrow tunnels on hill slopes until coal seams are located. The seams in Meghalaya are often thin, typically less than 2 meters.
   • Box-Cutting Mining: In this method, a rectangular opening is created (10 to 100 square meters) through which a vertical pit is dug (100 to 400 feet deep). Once coal seams are found, horizontal tunnels are excavated for extraction.
3. Environmental and Safety Concerns:
   • Rat-hole mining poses significant hazards due to unregulated working conditions. Mines often lack safety measures such as proper ventilation and structural support.
   • Environmental impacts include land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. The mining process can severely affect local ecosystems and biodiversity.
4. Legal Status:
   • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining in 2014, citing its unscientific nature and safety risks for workers. This ban was upheld in 2015, particularly in Meghalaya where this practice is prevalent.
   • Despite the ban, illegal rat-hole mining continues due to economic pressures and the lack of alternative livelihoods for local communities.

Beyond the Nugget: Role of Rat-Hole Mining in Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue

1. In 2023, rat-hole miners played a crucial role in rescuing 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand.
2. After an auger machine malfunctioned during the rescue operation, rat-hole miners were called upon to assist in digging through debris when conventional methods failed.
3. Their expertise allowed rescuers to reach the trapped workers by manually excavating through the last 12 meters of debris.

Rat-hole mining remains a contentious issue in India, particularly in regions like Meghalaya where it is both economically significant and environmentally damaging. Understanding this practice’s implications is essential for UPSC aspirants as it highlights broader themes of environmental policy, labor rights, and sustainable development challenges facing India today.