Coal mining hazards in Balochistan

At least seven coal miners died a couple of weeks ago while working in a private 2,200 feet deep coal mine in the Duki Coal Field in Balochistan. Initial reports suggest that the accumulation of methane gas in the mine caused an explosion. It took three days to retrieve the bodies of the miners as the rescue team had to be called in from Quetta, around 300 kilometers from the affected coal mine. The incident reminded me of the deadly incident that occurred on March 21, 2011 in the Soranj Coalfield around 35 kilometers from Quetta. At least 43 poor miners were killed within a 600 feet deep pit in the mine. It took three to four days to retrieve their bodies.

After the accident at the Duki Coal Field, a senior official said that a mines inspector had already warned the coal mine owner that the presence of methane in the mine was too high and could lead to a deadly incident. However, I believe the inspector should have still been punished by the authorities concerned since he had failed to seal the mine despite having an inkling of the disaster that lay in store.

Almost every month, deadly incidents take place across coal mines in Balochistan. As a reporter, I have regularly witnessed the poor safety measures adopted in coalfields in Mach, where coal miners work in a dangerous environment. “As a Muslim we believe the days are numbered for every human being. That is why, we should not worry about death,” a coal miner in Mach said when I asked him what he feels about the dangers of his profession. He compromised his safety because he does not have any other means to earn his livelihood.

Mining authorities are responsible for carrying out weekly searches to avoid disastrous incidents. But given the frequent occurrence of deadly incidents, it is safe to conclude that they are extremely lax. Recently, I had a candid discussion with an expert on mining and minerals. He disclosed that mines inspectors visit mines for collecting extortion money instead of ensuring the implementation of safety measures. “I have never seen any mines inspector going into depths of thousands of feet inside the mines to check whether the level of methane is not too dangerous to harm the miners or to check if these mines are properly ventilated,” he said.

As per international standards, miners should be properly dressed in fitting shirts and trousers leaving no space for methane to come into contact with their bodies. They should wear helmets, carry safety lamps and keep gas cylinders handy. One hardly ever sees these measures implemented in the mines of Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2015.