(a) whether excessive coal mining is taking place in many
mines in the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether wide cracks have appeared in various coal mines
and the surrounding areas which have caused danger to the
mines and residence and the situation can be more dangerous
in the rainy seasons; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government in
this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL & MINES (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a): No, Sir. Excessive coal mining are not taking place
in the mines of CIL and its subsidiaries as well as in the
mines of Singareni Collieries Company Limited, which are the
major coal producing companies.
(b): Does not arise in view of reply given to part(a)
above.
(c) & (d): Extraction of coal by caving method causes
cracks/subsidence at surface. However, these are planned
and done where there is no surface feature. Prior
permission is obtained from DGMS for such caving operation.
Thus such planned subsidences do not cause any danger to the
mines or houses.
These cracks are being filled up and are regularly
blanketed with muck/soil, which is a regular operation in
coal mining areas. This prevents breathing of air from
surface and reduces the danger of spontaneous heating of
coal.
As regards entry of water through these cracks, garland
drains are made around the area which may be effected due to
depillaring operations. In some cases, bunds are also made
to prevent entry of water through these cracks.
There are many shallow old underground workings of the
past (erstwhile owners) which are now in-accessible, water
logged and unstable. Due to failure of pillars in such old
workings, cracks/subsidence takes place. Illegal mining may
cause cracks/subsidence also.
A High Level Committee was constituted by Government to
study the problems of fire and subsidence prone areas in
Raniganj & Jharia coalfields. Recommendations of the above
high level committee is under implementation.