Meghalaya’s Shift to Scientific Coal Mining

January 31, 2025

The central government has signed agreements with three local miners to commence scientific coal mining in two districts (West Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills districts). This decision comes after a decade-long ban on unscientific “rat-hole mining” imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

About Rat-Hole Mining

Rat-hole mining is an illegal method of coal extraction resembling rodent burrows.
It is prevalent in Meghalaya and involves creating narrow tunnels that are often less than two metres high.
Miners descend into these cramped spaces using ropes and bamboo ladders.
The process is dangerous due to the risk of tunnel collapses and poor ventilation.
There are two primary techniques used in rat-hole mining
1. Side-Cutting Procedure: Miners dig narrow tunnels into hill slopes to access thin coal seams.
2. Box-Cutting: This method involves creating a rectangular opening followed by a vertical pit, leading to horizontal tunnels for coal extraction.

Causes of Rat-Hole Mining

Several factors contribute to the persistence of rat-hole mining:

Poverty: Local tribal communities often resort to this method as a means of survival due to limited livelihood options.
Land Ownership Issues: Ambiguous land titles complicate the establishment of regulated mines, allowing illegal operations to flourish.
Coal Demand: Continuous demand for coal, both legal and illegal, drives the rat-hole mining practice.

Escrow Agreements for Mining

Escrow Agreement: A legal contract where a third party holds assets until specific conditions are met.
Escrow agreements were signed between the Controller of Coal (Govt. of India) and the mining project proponents.
Coal India Limited is the third party in these agreements.

Future Expansion of Scientific Mining

Apart from the three approved mining sites, 12 more applications are in advanced approval stages.
The Meghalaya government is working closely with the Ministry of Coal to restart coal mining legally.

Impact of Coal Mining Ban

Before the ban in 2014, the coal mining industry was a major revenue source for Meghalaya, generating ₹700 crore annually.
The ban was imposed due to safety risks, as rat-hole mining involved digging narrow tunnels, leading to several worker deaths over the years.

Katakey Committee’s Role

The Meghalaya High Court appointed a one-man committee led by former judge Brojendra Prasad Katakey to ensure compliance with the NGT and Supreme Court’s rulings.
The committee has made several recommendations regarding sustainable and legal coal mining.

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