Mining has a strong impact on the society. In the recent past, the sector has not been responsible to the required level, said Rahul Guha, Director General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad.
Speaking at the Mining Engineers’ Association of India (MEAI) meet on ‘Iron Ore Mining in India: Present Challenges and Future Prospects’ at Hospet, Bellary, Guha said, “When unprecedented illegal mining happened and the society asked questions, the mining industry could not come up with logical answers.”
“In that scenario, only through regulation and strict compliance, it is possible to bring back the golden era of iron ore mining,” he added.
Underlining the importance of the safety in mining operations, he said, “It is our bounden duty and sworn job to see that every mine workers returns home absolutely safe.”
This requires strong and sustained efforts on the way labour is oriented and the way regulations are implemented in a mechanised work environment. This change over is dictated by the demands of society and we need to recognise, as mining professionals the strict compliance of safety standards in mining operations.
Souvenir released
Earlier, the Director General of Mines Safety released a souvenir on mining engineers.
Safe practices, Guha said is non-negotiable in modern, scientific and systematic mining. “Need rigorous implementation of safety and health management system. In this endeavour, the mining professionals have to constructively engage with concerted and sincere efforts.”
“Responsible mining is the need of the hour. Safe production is the apt usage, instead of safety and production, which are two different functions. Ensuring safety at mines encompasses everybody from owner to worker, not just for safety officers,” he explained.
“Professionals should be affirmative in approach, rather than being defensive in safety matters. The aim should be “Zero Harm” to the environment, economy and people,” he added.
S.K. Sarangi, President, Mining Engineers’ Association of India appealed to the mining industry, state and central governments to observe October 1 every year as ‘National Mining Day’. V Lakshmi Narayana, Director of Mines Safety, Bellary, spoke about the changed mining scene in Bellary district.