In a remarkable turn of events, a banned mining practice called rat-hole mining has become the saving grace for 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand. The workers had been stuck inside the tunnel for 17 days after high-tech machines imported for the rescue operation broke down.
The use of rat-hole mining began after a 25-tonne auger machine failed during the final stage of the operation. This manual drilling method has made significant progress, bringing the diggers just meters away from the trapped workers.
Rat-hole mining is a technique used for extracting coal by digging small pits that are no wider than 4 feet. Once the coal seam is reached, tunnels are created to extract the coal. The extracted coal is then dumped nearby and transported via highways. This method is commonly used in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is thin, making other mining methods economically unviable. Due to the small size of the tunnels, children often end up doing this hazardous job, as there are limited livelihood options in the state.
However, despite its prevalence, rat-hole mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014 for being unscientific and causing environmental pollution. Numerous accidents, including the deaths of miners, have occurred in the northeastern state due to this practice. The ban has been challenged by the Manipur government, arguing that there are no other feasible mining options in the region. In 2022, a panel appointed by the Meghalaya High Court found that rat-hole mining continues to persist in Meghalaya.
In the current situation, rat-hole mining has come to the rescue of the trapped workers after the failure of an American auger machine. Although the specialists brought in to assist with the rescue are not rat-hole miners, they are experts in the technique. These specialists, consisting of two teams of 12 men, have been manually removing debris using handheld tools inside the 800 mm pipe where the workers are trapped.
The process of manually drilling through the debris is a laborious task, and the specialists are taking turns to ensure progress. They are equipped with specialist tools, including shovels, to aid their efforts. Additionally, a blower is being used to provide oxygen in the confined space. These professionals are skilled in cutting through metal barriers if necessary.
While rat-hole mining remains banned for its safety and environmental concerns, its utilization in this rescue operation highlights the desperate measures taken to save the trapped workers. The progress made through manual drilling brings hope for their eventual rescue.
