Lok Sabha Question No. 619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Accidents in coal mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  619 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1-12-2021

## Accidents in coal mines

## †619.   SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether any technical analysis has been performed to find out the causes of the accidents in the coal mines;
- (b)        if so, the details of the findings and the measures taken as a result thereof;
- (c)         the  suitable  measures  taken  in  general  to  conduct  study  of  the  said  circumstances  and investigate landslides in mines;
- (d)        whether  these  mines  are  equipped  with  any  automatic  alarm  for  early  warning  of  any landslides; and
- (e)        if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. Inquiries into all fatal accidents, major serious accidents and dangerous occurrences are conducted by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) officers to find out the causes and circumstances leading to the accidents/incidents in coal mines. As per the findings of the enquiries, suitable actions or measures are taken as per the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 to prevent recurrence of such accidents or dangerous occurrences. The following measures taken:

- i. Based on the analysis, technical circulars are issued from time to time to the industry.
- ii. National  Conference  on  Safety  in  Mines  (NSC),  a  national  level  tripartite  forum  is organized  periodically  in  which  detailed  deliberations  on  prevention  of  mine  accidents and improving safety are made and the recommendations of NSC, are disseminated in the form of circulars and are reviewed periodically by different coal producing companies.
- iii. Scientific  studies  are  carried  out  with  the  help  of  reputed  institutes/ scientific bodies to find out safe working culture.
- iv. Follow-up inspections are made periodically based on risk analysis.
- v. Improvement notices under section 22A of the Mines Act, 1952 are issued.
- vi. Penal actions/prosecution against the persons/officials found responsible for the accidents based on the enquiry findings of the report.
- vii. Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 has been enforced, which provides for risk based safety Management Plan (SMP) and preparation of safe Operating Procedure (SOPS).

(c):         The Coal Mines Regulations, 1957 was suitably amended incorporating provisions for conduct of scientific study for method of work, ultimate pit slope, dump slope & monitoring of slope stability, at opencast coalmines under Regulation 106 of the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017. All  mines  conduct  Scientific  Study,  under  these  provisions  of  Coal  Mines  Regulations,  2017 before  starting  mechanized  opencast  working  and  work  shall  be  carried  out  as  per  the recommendations of the Scientific Study reports. In case of landslides/slope failure, investigations are carried out and management are directed to conduct fresh Scientific Study & review the working parameters to prevent such slope failures.

Guidelines  for  systematic  monitoring  of  slopes  in  coal  and  metalliferous  Mines  was circulated  vide  DGMS  (Tech)  Circular  No.  02  of  2020  dated  09.01.2020  regarding real-time monitoring of slope stability.

(d)&(e): Yes, certain mines are provided with automatic alarm systems such as Slope Stability RADAR  (SSR)  for  the  early  warning  of  slide  at  opencast  mines.  In  other  mines,  regular monitoring of slope stability is carried out by using prisms and total stations.