March 5, 2025
The Assam government has uncovered 263 illegal rat-hole coal mines operating within the jurisdictions of two autonomous councils, Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai announced in the state assembly on Wednesday. Over the past three years, authorities have seized more than 25,630 tonnes of illegally mined coal.
Responding to a query from Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi, Rai revealed that 248 of these illegal mines were found in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), which governs Dima Hasao district. An additional 15 were identified in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, covering East and West Karbi Anglong districts.
Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning rat-hole mining in 2014 due to its hazardous nature, the practice persists in the Northeast. Rai also acknowledged ongoing illegal coal extraction in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, and Charaideo districts, though he did not specify whether rat-hole mining was involved.
Concerns over illegal mining intensified following a tragic accident on January 6, when sudden flooding at the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in Umrangso trapped nine miners. Their decomposed bodies were later recovered, highlighting the severe risks associated with rat-hole mining.
In response to a separate question from All India United Democratic Front MLA Ashraful Hussain, Rai stated that authorities had confiscated 25,631.98 tonnes of illegally mined and transported coal across Assam in the last three years. The government is now working to auction the seized coal through legal channels.
To combat illegal mining, the state has established a monitoring committee led by the Director General of Police (DGP) to oversee enforcement efforts and prevent further unlawful coal extraction.
