(a) whether the underground mining in the country is below its potential;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps to be taken to increase underground mining in the country?
(a) whether the underground mining in the country is below its potential;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps to be taken to increase underground mining in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY)
(a) to (c) : As per information furnished by Indian Bureau of Mines, mining is a site
specific activity dependent on the occurrence of mineral. In view of safety and economic
viability of mining of such minerals, opencast method of mining is preferred over underground
mining in our country. With the enunciation of the National Mineral Policy in 1993, the
mineral sector has been liberalized and economic parameters play a very important role in
selecting the method of mining. It is anticipated that in future as the depth of opencast
mines will reach its economically feasible limit, underground mining is likely to increase.