The Assam Coal Mining Tragedy

The Assam coal mining tragedy occurred when a sudden influx of water flooded an illegal rat-hole mine in Dima Hasao district, Assam on January 6, 2025. The mine was abandoned by the state’s Mines and Minerals Department 12 years ago. 

Definition and Hazards of Rat-Hole Mining

Rat-hole mining, a method of manually digging narrow holes in North East India for coal extraction, is banned by the National Green Tribunal but still used by artisanal mining operations in Meghalaya.

Techniques

• Side Cutting Method
  • Coal seams traverse along hill slopes.
    Seams are visible at the outer edge of rocks.
• Box Cutting Method
  • A pit is dug which has a width of 5 square meters and a depth of 400 feet in order to collect the coal.
• Dangerous Conditions
  • The employees face extreme dangers due to the narrow, dangerous tunnels.
• Eco-Negative Impact
  • Serious damages to local ecosystems and landscapes.
• Inrequent Mine Accidents
  • Many deaths and injuries take place in these mines.
• Hazards
  • The risk of flood, health, environmental hazard, and the inability to gain the economic feasibility.

Ban and Continued Practice

• It was banned by the NGT in 2014. Because it’s a dangerous operation which causes hazardous environment.
• Supreme Court Observation (2019) questioned the “connivance” of officials in the continuation of illegal mining.
• Regulation is still lax, allowing the illegal business to thrive.

Dima Hasao Tragedy

• Administrative Failure
  • Assam Chief Minister said that it was probably an illegal mine abandoned.
  • These mines continue despite the ban on account of lapses in administration and unscrupulous exploitation.

Coal and Coal Mining in India