Illegal coal mine in Gujarat

Illegal coal mine in Gujarat

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

Three dies of asphyxiation at illegal coal mine in Gujarat.

More About News:

• Three labourers died of asphyxiation inside an illegal coal minein Surendranagar district of
• Digging for low-grade coal in illegal mines found in several parts of the district. The coal is used to fuel factories in the State and elsewhere.

What is Illegal coal mining?

Illegal mining is the extraction of precious metals without following the proper procedures to participate in legal mining activity. These procedures include permits and licenses for exploration of the land, mining and transportation.

MMDR Act:

• As per section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 the State Governments are empowered to frame rules to prevent illegal mining and the State Governments may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make such rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for purposes connected therewith.

Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act (1957):

• It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to regulate the mining sector.
• It was amended in 2015 and 2016. This act forms the basic framework of mining regulation in India.
• This act is applicable to all mineral except minor minerals and atomic minerals.
• It details the process and conditions for acquiring a mining or prospecting licence in India.
• Mining minor minerals comes under the preview of state governments.
• For mining and prospecting in forest land, prior permission is needed from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Environment Impacts:

• Illegal miners create large mining pits that are not back filled when they are finished, many people and animals die from these pits.
• Due to run off from illegal mining activity contaminates surface water and underground water with mud, Mercuryand Cyanide.
• Deforestation occurs during illegal mining operations so mining operations have room to function.
• Carbon emissions increase drastically due to the clear cutting of forests.
• Illegal mining causes soil erosion and degradation which leads to barren lands.

Human Impacts:

• Asphyxiation is caused due to lack of oxygen (or) when you don’t get enough oxygen to the body.
• Causes include allergic reactions, drowning and foreign objects blocking your airway.

Symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to speak.