Supreme Court Inquiry on Mining Practices

The Supreme Court of India, in 2019, raised concerns regarding the possibility of illegal mining operations continuing without the involvement of officials. This inquiry was a part of their examination following the incident of 15 miners trapped in a rat-hole mine in East Jaintia Hills in December 2018.

Report by NGT Monitoring Committee

• The committee highlighted that despite an official ban, the demand for coal in the northeast for cement and thermal power plants supported the illegal rat-hole mining activities.

State Authorities' Involvement

• State authorities have occasionally recognized and celebrated rat-hole miners, as observed in 2023, where miners from Assam were brought in to assist with a rescue operation in Uttarkashi.
• This highlights a contradiction where traditional miners were relied upon after modern technology and professional expertise failed in rescue efforts.

Recurring Pattern of Mining Accidents

• There is a cyclical pattern of accidents, such as the Dima Hasao operation, where attempts to save those trapped often end in either success or failure.
• This pattern leads to temporary awareness that fades until the next mining disaster occurs.