Assam Government To Enforce Ban on Rat-Hole Mining With New SOP Amid Rescue Efforts

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has announced plans to set up a standard operating procedure (SOP) to enforce an effective blanket ban on rat-hole mining in the state. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 220 coal mines, like the one where a recent disaster occurred, have been identified in the region.

To enhance monitoring and regulation, the government will utilize satellite mapping technology to ascertain the timeline of when these mines were first opened. The revenue and disaster management departments have been tasked with gathering satellite data, with assistance from ISRO or international agencies.

In addition to the ban, the Chief Minister stated that efforts to fill in the abandoned coal mines will commence in collaboration with the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute. The Mines and Minerals Department has been directed to seek guidance from the institute to safely close the rat-hole mines.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts for five trapped miners in a coal mine have been hindered by suspected leakage from underground streams, which have slowed down the dewatering process. According to officials, dewatering operations are being carried out using 15 pump sets. One body was retrieved on January 8, while three more were retrieved on January 11. However, no signs of the remaining miners have been seen after 10 days. The chief minister said chances of survival of the miners were minimal given that so much time had elapsed.

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