Mining Rules

In India the mines are controlled by a Government body DGMS, Dhanbad (Directorate General of Mines).

The Mines Act, 1952, Act No. 35 of 1952, 15 March, 1952, enacted by Parliament and extended to whole India. It came into force on sub date or dates as the Central Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different states but not later than 31st December, 1953

Mining & Envirments

Mining is one of the main causes of Deforestation. In order to mine trees and vegetation are cleared and burned.
The mine water enters the fresh water bodies results in Water pollution.
Mining disturbs the nature by creating hills and valleys which diverts the water flow may causes Floods.
Mining disturbs the underground water table and also pollutes the underground water causes dangerous Diseases.
Drilling and Blasting produces ground vibration and sound in the mines causes the Sound Pollution.
Ore transportation by road increases the road traffic may cause Accidents.
Drilling and Blasting, movement of machines, trucks, dumpers generates Dust and exhaust of diesel engines in the mines contains toxic gases such as Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide etc. causes Air pollution.

Mining & Nature

Ventilation: Air flows from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure. The difference of pressure may be caused by (1) purely Natural means and (2) Fan called Mechanical Ventilation.
Mine Lighting: In underground insufficient light over long periods impairs the efficiency of the miner and also develops an eye disease known as Nystagmus. For lighting in underground electric cap lamps are used by every underground worker.

Underground Mining

Underground Mining is the extraction of Ore or Minerals from the earth crust below the ground by the means of shaft or incline.
Underground Mining in India is practiced in Rajasthan and Singbhum Copper areas, Diamond Mines of Banganapalli and Karnool, Uranium mines in Jaduguda – Jarkhand, Coal Mines in Andhra Pradesh etc.
Underground miner works under conditions which are safe and healthy for his body. In underground mines the humidity , temperatures and the dust content of the air in the mine should also be within certain limits. This is achieved by proper ventilation of underground mine working by continuous supply of fresh surface air. The mine air should contain not less than 19% of Oxygen and 0.5% of Carbon-di-oxide. In Underground to dilute the noxious and inflammable gases such as Carbon monoxide, Methane etc Ventilation is necessary. Ventilation also keeps Underground mine temperature in control, the wet bulb temperature in development faces should not exceed 33.5oC.

Open Cast Mining

Open Cast Mining or Quarrying is extraction of Ore or Minerals from the earth crust above or below the ground level by forming benches or stepped work faces.
Open Cast Mining can be done by:
1. Manual Mining or Quarrying.
2. Semi Mechanized Mining.
3. Fully Mechanized Mining.
Open Cast mining by manual methods is adopted
(1) where mechanization is likely to prove insufficient either due to the large size pits or to the shape of the pits and their location.
(2) where large investment is not warranted.
(3) where mineralization is erratic and selective mining with sorting is necessary.
(4) where large sale work is possible with cheap labour.
Open Cast Mining by Semi Mechanization by utilization of both man power and machinery is adopted
(1) where cheap labour is available.
(2) where mineralization is not sufficient for high mechanization.
(3) where drilling and blasting is possible.
Open Cast Mining by High Mechanized Mining by Heavy Earth Moving Machineries is adopted
(1) where high production is required.
(2) Where high mineralization is available.
(3) Where large scale investment is possible.
Heavy Earth Moving Machineries (HEMM) such as Dragline, Power Shovel, Hydraulic Excavator, Scrapers, Land dredges, Rippers and Dozers, Wheel Loaders, Spreaders, Bucket Wheel Excavators.
In India the some Open Cast Mines are Neyveli Lignite Corporation in Neyveli, Tamilnadu, V M Salgaocar & Bros Pvt Ltd in Goa, Sesa Goa in Goa, T M L Mines in Karnataka, Rajhara Mines in Chattisgarh, Iron ore mines at Noamundi in Bihar and Jodha East in Orissa etc

Effacts

Underground miners diseases are Nystagmus by insufficient light, Ankylostomiasis by standing in dirty water with bare feet over long hours, Pneumoconiosis, Silicosis, Asbestosis, Siderosis by dust in air.
Mine Accidents: (1) Inundation : Abandoned mines and quarries get filled with water and pose problem for the working of mines below and near such water logged areas. The worst disaster caused by inundation at Chasnala colliery in Biharin 1975 when 372 mine workers were drowned underground during drivage of underground galleries which were approaching waterlogged old workings of an abandoned mine.
(2) Mine Fires: Mine fires is one of the major problem in Coal mines, due to self heating of coal, by electric motors, steam engines or internal combustion engines, hot brake blocks of winders etc.

Mining

Mining is the extraction of Ore or Minerals from earth crust. Minerals constitute the back-bone of economic growth of any nation and India has been eminently endowed with this gift of na­ture. There are many evidence that exploitation of minerals like coal, iron-ore, copper, lead-zinc has been going on in the country from time immemorial. However, the first recorded history of mining in India dates back to 1774 when an English Company was granted permission by the East India Company for mining coal in Raniganj. M/s John Taylor & Sons Ltd. started gold mining in Kolar Gold Fields in the year 1880. The first oil well was drilled in Digboi in the year 1866 - just seven years after the first ever oil well was drilled anywhere in the world viz. in Pennsylvania State, USA in 1859. Mining activities in the country however remained primitive in nature and modest in scale uptill the beginning of the current century. Thereafter, with progressive industrialisation the demand for and hence the production of various minerals gradually went up. After India became independent, the growth of mining under the impact of successive Five Year Plans has been very fast. There are ambitious plans in coal, metalliferous and oil sectors to in­crease production of minerals during the 8th Five Year Plan and thereafter.
India is largely self sufficient in most of the minerals which include barytes, bauxite, chromite, dolomite, fluorspar, gypsum, iron ore, kyanite, limestone, manganese ore, magnesite, sillimanite, etc. except the minerals like copper, asbestos, lead and zinc, natural phosphates, sulphur and crude petroleum, in which domestic production meets the demand only partially.
India is rich in the resources of minerals like iron ore, bauxite, manganese, baryte etc. It has resources of 12745 million tonnes of iron ore, 2,525 million tonnes of bauxite, 76446 million tonnes of limestone, 233 million tonnes of magnesite, 167 million tonnes of lead & zinc ore, 70 million tonnes of barytes, 176 million tonnes of manganese ore and 90 million tonnes of chromite. The reserves of iron ore, bauxite and manganese accounts for nearly 7 per cent, 16 per cent and 6 per cent respectively of the total known global resources of these minerals. India possesses the largest known reserves of barytes in the world.
In India Mining Industry is providing jobs for Lakhs of people, both Private and Public sectors are having Mining Leases and are working. Government is also getting lots of revenue form Mining Industry. The Indian Mining Industry got financial backup or loans from Banks and Financial Institutions.
Mining methods can be classified as Opencast Mining and Underground Mining.
Sorce : http://theminingtoday.com

Mining

What is mining?
Mining is the extraction (removal) of minerals and metals from earth. Manganese, tantalum, cassiterite, copper, tin, nickel, bauxite (aluminum ore), iron ore, gold, silver, and diamonds are just some examples of what is mined.
Why mine?
Mining is a money making business. Not only do mining companies prosper, but governments also make money from revenues. Workers also receive income and benefits.
What are the minerals and metals used for?
Minerals and metals are very valuable commodities. For example, manganese is a key component of low-cost stainless steel. It is also used to de-color glass (removing greenish hues), but in higher concentrations, it actually makes lavendar-colored glass. Tantalum is used in cell phones, pagers, and lap-tops. Cooper and tin are used to make pipes, cookware, etc. And gold, silver, and diamonds are used to make jewelry.

How does mining affect the environment?
Mining is generally very destructive to the environment. It is one of the main causes of deforestation. In order to mine, trees and vegetation are cleared and burned. With the ground completely bare, large scale mining operations use huge bulldozers and excavators to extract the metals and minerals from the soil. In order to amalgamate (cluster) the extractions, they use chemicals such as cyanide, mercury, or methylmercury. These chemicals go through tailings (pipes) and are often discharged into rivers, streams, bays, and oceans. This pollution contaminates all living organisms within the body of water and ultimately the people who depend on the fish for their main source of protein and their economic livelihood.
Small scale mining is equally devastating to the environment, if not more. Groups of 5-6 men migrate from one mining site to another in search of precious metals, usually gold. There are two types of small scale mining: land dredging and river dredging:
Land dredging involves miners using a generator to dig a large hole in the ground. They use a high pressure hose to expose the gold-bearing layer of sand and clay. The gold bearing slurry is pumped into a sluice box, which collects gold particles, while mine tailings flow into either an abandoned mining pit or adjacent forest. When the mining pits fill with water from the tailings, they become stagnant water pools. These pools create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other water-born insects. Malaria and other water-born diseases increase significantly whenever open pools of water are nearby.
River dredging involves moving along a river on a platform or boat. The miners use a hydrolic suction hose and suction the gravel and mud as they move along the river. The gravel, mud, and rocks go through the tailings (pipes) and any gold fragments are collected on felt mats. The remaining gravel, mud, and rocks go back into the river, but in a different location than where it was originally suctioned. This creates problems for the river. The displaced gravel and mud disrupt the natural flow of the river. Fish and other living organisms often die and fishermen can no longer navigate in the obstructed rivers.
How does mining affect the people?
The people who are exposed to the toxic waste from the tailings become sick. They develop skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. In fact, the symptoms of mercury poisoning are very similar to the symptoms of malaria. Many people who can not afford to go to a doctor, or who live in a village where a doctor is not accessible, are often not treated for their illnesses.
If the water is contaminated, the people can not use it for bathing, cooking, or washing their clothes.
If the man of the household is a small scale miner, he often leaves his wife and children in search of work. This means that the wife and children must work and provide for themselves. They must also protect themselves from thieves.
Theft, drugs/alcohol, prostitution, rape, and sexual abuse are unfortunately some of the effects of mining.
Cultural degradation also occurs in mining villages. For example, mining often destroys sacred sites and cemetaries. In Guyana, a special fishing event called Haiari Fishing unfortunately can not take place if the river has been dredged for gold. Remember, the displacement of the gravel and mud obstruct the natural flow of the river. As a result, fish and other organisms die.