Q. Which one of the following statements is correct regarding ‘Rat Hole Mining’?

[A] It involves extracting minerals from underground deposits through the creation of tunnels and shafts.

[B] It involves digging narrow, vertical tunnels resembling burrows to extract coal.

[C] It is a method of extracting minerals from loose sediments, such as sand and gravel, often found in riverbeds.

[D] It involves the excavation of large open pits to extract valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth surface.

Answer: B
Notes:

Explanation – Rat hole mining is a type of underground mining method where small tunnels or “rat holes” are dug to access coal seams. It’s called “rat hole mining” because the tunnels are often so small that they resemble the tunnels made by rats. It’s often used in areas with shallow coal deposits and can be dangerous for miners because the tunnels can collapse easily. Rat hole mining is illegal in many countries, including India, due to the hazardous working conditions and environmental damage it causes. It was prevalent in Meghalaya.

Source: Forum IAS

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