A tragic incident in Assam’s Dima Hasao district highlighted the ongoing risks of rat-hole mining, as nine miners became trapped in an illegal coal mine following a flood. Meanwhile, advancements in biomining at Kerala's Koottupatha trenching ground offer hope for sustainable mining solutions.
What is Rat-Hole Mining?
Definition:
Rat-hole mining is a crude, hazardous, and labor-intensive method of coal extraction. Narrow tunnels, often just 3-4 feet wide and 2-3 feet high, are dug into the ground, with workers—often children—entering to extract coal. It is prevalent in northeastern India, particularly Meghalaya and Assam.
Methods:
- Side-Cutting: Small horizontal tunnels are dug into hillsides to access thin coal seams.
- Box-Cutting: A rectangular pit is created, followed by vertical and horizontal digging to extract coal.
Reasons for Prevalence:- Poverty: Limited livelihood options drive communities to this dangerous practice for survival.
- Ambiguous Land Ownership: Weak governance and lack of regulation enable illegal operations.
- Coal Demand: Continuous demand sustains illegal mining, supported by middlemen and traders.
Challenges of Rat-Hole Mining- Safety Risks:
- Frequent accidents, tunnel collapses, and poor ventilation endanger miners' lives.
- Example: The 2018 Ksan flooding in Meghalaya killed 17 miners, and the 2024 Wokha explosion in Nagaland claimed six lives.
- Environmental Damage:
- Deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution from acid mine drainage (AMD) degrade ecosystems.
- Rivers like Lukha in Meghalaya turned acidic due to AMD.
- Social Issues:
- Exploitation of child labor: NGOs estimate 70,000 children, often trafficked from Bangladesh and Nepal, are employed.
- Displacement of local communities disrupts livelihoods and cultures.
Regulation of Rat-Hole Mining- Legal Framework in India:
- Declared illegal and regulated under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014, and the Supreme Court upheld the ban in 2019.
- Regional Challenges:
- Nagaland: The Nagaland Coal Policy, 2006 permits small-scale mining under strict conditions. Article 371A grants autonomy, complicating centralized regulation.
- Sixth Schedule Areas: Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in northeastern states own land and minerals, often conflicting with central laws.
What is Biomining?
Definition:Biomining is a sustainable mining technique that uses microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to extract metals from ores or remediate polluted sites.
Processes:- Bioleaching: Microbes directly dissolve metals, enabling easier extraction.
- Biooxidation: Microbes break down surrounding material, enriching the metal for extraction.
Metals Extracted:Primarily used to extract copper, nickel, uranium, and gold.
Advantages:- Eco-Friendly: Produces less hazardous waste and reduces carbon emissions.
- Efficient Resource Use: Minimizes energy and water consumption.
Challenges:- Slower extraction rates compared to conventional mining.
- Limited applicability to certain ores and technical complexities in scaling operations.
Innovations in Sustainable Mining
Electrokinetic Mining (EKM):This cutting-edge technique uses electric fields to extract rare earth elements (REEs) efficiently.
Key Benefits:- Reduces chemical leaching by 80% and energy use by 60%.
- Achieves a recovery rate exceeding 95%, minimizing environmental harm while enhancing REE recovery.
Key Takeaways
The persistence of rat-hole mining underscores the need for stricter enforcement and sustainable alternatives. Innovations like biomining and electrokinetic mining represent significant progress in reducing the environmental and human costs of resource extraction, paving the way for a safer, more sustainable future.
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