CIL to adopt high-tech equipments for UG, Open cast mining

In view of the rising mine fatalities, state-owned CIL will adopt high-tech equipments for both underground and open cast mining.
The matter had come up for discussion in Coal India's (CIL) Safety board meeting of held this week, an official said.
"In the meeting is was decided that high tech equipments would be used in opencast and underground mines of Coal India so that there is less exposure of coal mine workers to dangerous mining conditions," the official added.
CIL Chairman and Managing Director Sutirtha Bhattacharya also assured that there would be no shortage of funds as far as providing safety equipments for coal miners is concerned, the official said.

The five workers unions of the coal behemoth also participated in the meeting.
According to Indian National Mine Workers' Federation (INTUC) Secretary General S Q Zama on an average the fatal accidents every year in Coal India ranges between 15-25.

Asserting that there would be "zero tolerance" for breach of safety of coal workers, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier said that in view of the one billion tonnes of coal production target standards of the safety of coal workers must be improved further.
He had also stated that high production level must be achieved without compromising workers' safety and health.

Citing examples of the fail-safe risk mitigation systems being adopted very successfully in highly dangerous and hazardous industries such as nuclear power plants and space missions, he had desired that all coal companies should also adopt the best risk mitigation system to achieve zero harm/potential in all coal mines of the country by joint endeavour of workmen, trade union and management.
The Minister had desired that all steps should be taken for achieving "Gold standards" i.E. Best standards for safety in coal mines so that India could set such standards in Coal Mines Safety.
Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production.

The government has set one billion tonnes production target for the the world's largest coal miner by 2020.