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Rat-hole coal mining in Moolamylliang
Why is it in News?
- Situation has been improved since NGT ban in 2014.
Details:
- It is located in East Jantia Hills district of Meghalaya.
- There are 60000 coal mines across 360 villages in East Jantia Hills district.
- Moolamyllinag was one of them till NGT imposed ban on rat-hole mining.
- Rat hole mining:
(1) It is a primitive and hazardous method of mining for coal.
(2) It comprises tunnels that are only 3-4 feet in diameter. So, it’s called rat-hole.
(3) It is leading to pits ranging from 5-100 sq. mt deep.
(4) There are two types of rat-holes:
(a) When dug into the ground these are vertical shafts leading to the mines where horizontal tunnels are dug;
(b) Where horizontal holes are dug directly in the hillsides to reach coal seams (bed of coal).
(5) The coal is taken out manually, loaded into a bucket or a wheelbarrow and dumped on a nearby un-mined area.
(6) From here, it is carried to larger coal dumps near highways for trade and transportation.