Question

Why is rat hole mining banned by indian government?

Answer 1

‘Rat Hole’ mining is a primitive method that entails clearing ground vegetation and

digging pits ranging from five to 100 square metres to search the coal seams (The

Hindu, 2012). Also it is a generic name used for mining of coal in Meghalaya which

is unique traditional mining model (non-existent anywhere in India), where small hole

of approximately two meter diameter is carved out for extracting coal which in due

course takes the shape of winding caves and tunnels. This has been classified as

unscientific and unsafe method of mining practice in Meghalaya.