Underground Coal and Metalliferous Mines Safety

Government of India Ministry of Labour & Employment Directorate General of Mines Safety No. DGMS No. 05 To, Dhanbad dated 22/ 072025 All Owners, Agents, & Mangers of Coal & Metalliferous underground Mines Subject: Rescue Preparedness in case of Emergency in underground mines. —reg.

Provisions have been made in Regulation 252 of the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, Regulations 190A of the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, & Mines Rescue Rules 1985 for the Rescue & Recovery during Emergency. It is well established fact that any emergency is challenging and requires to check its preparedness and strengthen emergency handling capability, it is a continuous process by revisiting and developing required level of alertness & preparedness.

In this context a mock drill was conducted recently in an underground metalliferous mine as per the protocol of the Crisis Management Plan to check the preparedness.

During the mock drill following serious discrepancies/ shortcomings were observed: - 1.0 2.0 a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

Rescue tracings were not properly maintained and updated Rescue Trained Persons were not available in the mine.

Properly trained medical team was not available at the mine to deal with the Emergency.

Assembly point was not earmarked and kept ready at the mine.

Emergency Plan and trained personnels to combat with emergency situations, were not available in the mine.

Approach roads to mine were improper and rendered difficulty to reach the mine.

Cooperation and coordination with different agencies in case of mock drill was challenging.

Inspite of adequate provisions in Mines Rescue Rules 1985, and directives issued from time to time from this Directorate, it is deplorable to note that there were many shortcomings in the preparedness. Therefore, all concerned persons, Owners, Agents & Managers are requested to reaffirm the above learnings of the above mock drill and be prepared & alert in the Emergency preparedness, so that during emergency, the same is attended without any hindrance, for speedy and smooth Rescue & Recovery works.

Needless to reiterate that the conduct of the mock drill at frequent intervals at unit level and continuous efforts for improvement /perfection will save time and utilising resources in efficient manner.

Yours SinCerely, Director, peral of Mines Safety DGMS, Dhanbad