Assam Identifies 263 Illegal Rat-Hole Coal Mines

The Assam government has identified 263 illegal rat-hole coal mines in the state’s central region. Mines Minister Kaushik Rai informed the Assembly that 248 mines were found in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) and 15 in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Despite the 2014 National Green Tribunal ban, illegal mining continues in the Northeast.

In January, nine miners died in a rat-hole mine in Umrangso due to flooding. Over the past three years, authorities have seized 25,631.98 tonnes of illegally mined coal. The government has initiated legal auctions and formed a monitoring committee to curb illegal mining.