EIACP (PC-RP) on Environmental Problems of Mining

Godavarkhani No. 7 LEP

The details of major findings of the Court of Enquiry in the aforesaid mine is as follows-

• Large quantity of water, estimated to be several thousand gallons, had accumulated in panel No.3S/SS-1A in No. 3 seam bottom section which was extracted in the year 2000 by splitting as final operation in conjunction with hydraulic sand stowing. The accumulation was due to inter- granular space in sand, shrinkage of stowed sand with time, inadequate stowing.
• In an area, which was declared non-workable by the owner in 1999, development in 2 dip district in No.3 seam top section was started in April, 2003.
• This 2 dip development district in No.3 seam top section was being worked within 60 metres of the No.3 seam bottom section workings in panel No.3S/SS-1A. This work was done without taking prior permission from the Regional Inspector of Mines and without taking due precautions against the danger of inundation arising out of working close to water-logged workings.
• The parting between top and bottom sections of 3 seam which was to be kept atleast 5 metres, got reduced by roof falls occurring in 3 seam bottom section along the 2 metres throw fault plane. The parting must have been reduced to a few centimeters just before the rupture.
• The head of water, which was calculated to be about 15 metres, was enough to cause the rupture leading to sudden inrush in top section.
• The water rushed along 18L through the puncture in the form of a wall of a height of about 1 metre. After travelling southwards, it entered No.2 dip where 17 workers who were working in and below 19L and who were drowned in the inrushing water.
• Lack of supervision in mining in general and stowing of sand in particular.
• There is no system in place whereby after stowing any responsible officer would certify that stowing was proper and adequate before the district could be closed.