Executive Summary:
In response to a question in Lok Sabha, the Minister of Coal addressed the rathole coal mining accident in Dima Hasao district, Assam, in January 2025. The response details the rescue operation, investigation, and measures taken to prevent future incidents and ensure accountability. The State Government has taken multiple actions, including forming investigation teams and imposing a ban on rat-hole mining.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Accident Details:**
* A mining incident occurred on 06.01.2025 in Kalamati, Dima Hasao district, Assam, involving illegal rat-hole mining.
* Nine miners were trapped when water flooded the mine; a rescue operation began on 10.01.2025 and ended on 20.02.2025.
* Four bodies were initially recovered, and the remains of five more miners were found on 21.02.2025.
* **Investigation and Legal Actions:**
* An FIR was lodged on 07.01.2025, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed by the Director General of Police, Assam, which submitted findings on 05.03.2025.
* Twelve accused persons have been arrested, and legal actions are underway.
* A multiagency team has been formed to close, seal, and dismantle illegal mines.
* **Preventative and Accountability Measures:**
* An Inquiry Commission headed by Justice Anima Hazarika has been formed to investigate the incident and fix responsibility.
* The Government of Assam issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for safe mining on 24.06.2005.
* A blanket ban on rat-hole mining has been imposed and implemented by District Administrations, resulting in 249 mines being sealed in the Umrangso area.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government:**
* Impact: Responsible for maintaining law and order related to illegal mining and implementing the ban on rat-hole mining.
* Action Required: Continue implementing the ban on rat-hole mining, support the Inquiry Commission, and act on the findings of the SIT.
* **Public Officials/Mining Companies/Institutions:**
* Impact: Subject to investigation by the Inquiry Commission for potential regulatory failures and accountability in the Umrangso Mines Tragedy.
* Action Required: Cooperate with the Inquiry Commission's investigation.
* **Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC):**
* Impact: Involved in the multiagency team to identify and ensure the closure of illegal mines.
* Action Required: Participate in the multiagency team to identify, close, seal and dismantle illegal mines.
* **District Administrations:**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the blanket ban on rat-hole mining through the District Level Task Force.
* Action Required: Enforce the ban on rat-hole mining and continue sealing illegal mines.
Key Entities Referenced
Dima Hasao district, Assam: Location of the rathole coal mining accident in the state of Assam.
Central Bureau of Investigation: A central investigating agency to which the investigation of the accident was considered to be transferred.
SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY: Minister of Coal and Mines.
Umrangso Police Station: Police station under whose jurisdiction the mining incident at Kalamati occurred.
Bhartiya Nayay Smhita, 2023: Law under which an FIR was lodged regarding the mining incident.
Mines and Minerals Regulations and Development Act, 1957: Law under which an FIR was lodged regarding the mining incident.
Special Investigation Team SIT: Investigative team constituted by the Director General of Police, Assam to investigate the mining accident.
Justice Anima Hazarika: Former Judge of Gauhati High Court, heading the Inquiry Commission investigating the Umrangso Mines Tragedy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1616
ANSWERED ON- 30/07/2025
Rat-hole Coal Mining Accident in Assam
1616. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minster of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the rat-hole coal mining accident that occurred in January 2025 in Dima Hasao
district, Assam along with the number of casualties and timeline of the rescue operation;
(b) whether the Government has received any requests or recommendations to transfer the
investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI);
(c) if so, the details and status thereof; and
(d) the measures taken by the Government to ensure accountability of public officials involved in
regulatory failure and to prevent similar incidents in Assam’s coal mining regions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) A tragic mining incident took place on 06/01/2025 at Kalamati under Umrangso Police Station
of Dima Hasao district, Assam. An unspecified number of mine workers were inside a deep well
of illegal rat hole mine for extracting coal when water suddenly gushed and flooded the well. Some
of the mine workers managed to come out while nine of them got trapped inside. State Govt
responded promptly and rescue operations were mobilized immediately involving several Central
and State agencies. Operation was started on 10.01.2025 and completed on 20.02.2025. 4 death
bodies were recovered initially and mortal remains of 5 mine workers were recovered on 21st
February, 2025 after prolonged 44 days of relentless rescue operation.
(b) & (c) Illegal mining is primarily a law and order issue, which is in the domain of the
State Governments concerned. An FIR into the incident was lodged on 07/01/2025 under section
3(5)/105 of Bhartiya Nayay Smhita, 2023, read with section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals
(Regulations and Development) Act, 1957 and investigated. A total of 12 (twelve) accused persons
have been arrested so far and legal actions are being taken as per the law. A Special Investigation
Team (SIT) was constituted by the Director General of Police, Assam. The SIT investigated the
case and submitted its findings on 05.03.2025. Further, a multi-agency team comprising ExecutiveMagistrates, Police Officials and Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC) officials has
been formed to identify and ensure that all such illegal mines are closed, sealed and dismantled.
(d) An Inquiry Commission headed by Justice Anima Hazarika, former Judge of Gauhati High
Court, has been constituted to investigate the incident of Umrangso Mines Tragedy and fix
responsibility on concerned officers, individuals, mining companies and institutions.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for safe & secured mining and control of illegal/pit/rat
hole coal mining has been issued by Govt of Assam on 24th June, 2005.
State Government has imposed a blanket ban on rat hole mining in the state. Blanket ban on rat-
hole mine has been implemented by District Administrations through District Level Task Force.
So far 249 rat-hole mines have been sealed in Umrangso area of Dima Hasao.
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