Chintan Shivir 2.0 was organised by the Ministry on 07.01.2025. The deliberations were on making the coal sector a key contributor to the Nation's energy transition, focusing on enhancing production, integrating cleaner technologies and safeguarding the environment. It was highlighted that the need to align coal mining practices with global sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions through innovative technologies like coal gasification and adopting best practices for sustainability by adopting state-of-the-art technologies with rigorous safety standards to safeguard the lives of workers and ensure the well-being of the workforce.

The importance of safety in mining operations was deliberated in Chintan Shivir 2.0, emphasizing it as a non-negotiable priority for all stakeholders. Coal PSUs and industry partners were urged to adopt state-of-the-art technologies and implement rigorous safety standards to safeguard workers' lives and ensure their well-being.

Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions under the Mines Act, 1952, the Mines Rules- 1955, the Coal Mine Regulations- 2017 and Bye Laws & Standing Order framed thereunder are implemented to reduce occurrence of such accident in mines. Additionally, coal companies administer mines through following safety measures:

1. Preparation and implementation of Site-Specific Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plans (SMPs), Principal Hazards Management Plans (PHMPs), Formulation and compliance of Site-specific Risk Assessment based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

2. Training on Mine Safety: Initial and Refresher training, On-the-Job training as per statute, training on Simulators to HEMM operators, skill up-gradation of frontline mine officials, sensitization of all employees including members of safety committee, contractual workmen and training on Risk Management by SIMTARS accredited executives.

3. Conducting Safety Audit of mines through multi-disciplinary Safety Audit teams as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Coal in December 2023.

4. Adoption of the state-of-the art mechanism for Strata Management and Monitoring of mine environment including compliance of safety measures applicable in Opencast and underground coal mines

5. Mine Safety Inspection: Round-the-clock Supervision of all mining operations by adequate number of competent & statutory Supervisors and mine Officials, Regular Inspection by Workmen Inspectors, back shift mine Inspections by senior officials and regular mine Inspection by officials of the Internal Safety Organization.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Shuhaib T

 

 

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