Mining cos must take measures to prevent flooding, landslides: Govt

Panaji: Directorate general of mines safety directed mining companies to take precautionary steps, including the constitution of a monitoring cell, to avoid any untoward incident at mines during the monsoon. The monitoring cell shall plan, monitor and prevent the possibility of any untoward incidents.

At present, five mines are operational in the state and the directorate general of mines safety has constituted a committee to inspect non-working mines and to issue directions.

A senior officer said that as monsoon is approaching, mining companies have been asked to take all precautionary measures to keep the mine in safe condition as prescribed under the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961.

Besides forming the monitoring cell, the directorate has also asked the mining firms to assess rainwater likely to be collected in the mine area, taking into consideration the highest rainfall on any day for the last 10 years.

“Proper surface drains and intermittent bench drains shall be made and kept free from obstructions so that all the water is diverted to the pit bottom. Continuous monitoring of the slopes of benches, dumps, ore stack, etc. shall be done during monsoon,” the directions said.

The waterlogged pits are to be kept securely fenced to prevent any unauthorised entry of people and adequate pumping arrangements with stand-by pumps are to be provided. It is also to be ensured that a natural overflow system with an adequate number of pipes or some other means is provided, the rise in water level in the mine is regularly monitored and records maintained, and if any obstruction in the drainage system is observed, it shall be removed immediately.

As far as possible, settling ponds shall be located away from any public property that may get affected due to unprecedented failure of such settling ponds and reservoirs.