what is rat mining

Rat mining, also known as rat-hole mining, is a hazardous and controversial method of narrow tunnel excavation by manually digging through, primarily used in India for extracting coal deposits through confined passages. The technique earns its name from its resemblance to rats burrowing holes into the ground. It was commonly used in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, where the holes were typically just big enough for the workers to descend and extract thin seams of coal. However, the practice has been banned due to its hazardous nature and lack of safety measures, with several fatalities reported, including children. Despite the ban, the technique remained rampant, and in a recent incident, rat miners were called in to rescue workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the Indian Himalayas, showcasing their expertise in narrow tunnel excavations and manual drilling