UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 07-01-2025

Dozer Push Mining Trial

Why in News?

Recently, India has successfully conducted the 1^st trial blast of the Dozer Push Mining Method.

• Dozer Push Mining – It is a cutting-edge technological solution that integrates advanced digital technologies to revolutionise coal extraction processes.
•  It is a viable alternative to the conventional truck-shovel mining technique or shovel-dumper and dragline methods.

Truck-Shovel (TS) systems are the most common mining system used to remove the upper and thinner overburdens found within a deposit. Dragline methods remove the much deeper overburdens.

• Trial in – Parsa East and Kete Basen (PEKB) Coal Mine in Chhattisgarh by Adani Natural Resources.
• Developed by – Dhanbad based CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR).
• Objective – To ensure the vibration and flyrock which are controlled within safe limits.
• Key technical innovation - Automated drilling process with unmanned operations.
• Precise cast/throw blasting techniques for optimal material displacement.
• Automated dozer for efficient material movement.
• Integration of advanced digital technology for operational oversight.
• Trial – It involved drilling of 108 holes using automated drill machine, followed bycast/throw blasting using 60 tons of bulk emulsion explosives.
• The blasted material will be pushed in decoaled area using specially designed, large-sized automated dozer machine.

• Benefits – Faster coal recovery rates, accelerating project timelines.
• Reduced weather-related production delays, ensuring consistent output.
• Enhanced dragline machine utilisation, maximising equipment efficiency.
• 7-10% reduction in operational costs and lower unit production costs, improving competitiveness in the market.

Reference

PIB| 1^st Trial Blast of Dozer Push Mining Method in India

World Braille Day

Why in News?

Recently, the World Braille Day was observed on January 4^th, to commemorate the birthday of Louis Braille.

• Braille – It is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using 6 dots to represent each letter, number and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols.
• Significance – It is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.

Braille, named after its inventor, Louis Braille in 19^th century in France.

• Demographic Status:

According to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, there are 21 types of Disabilities which includes Locomotor Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Speech & Language Disability, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Dwarfism etc.

Reference

PIB| Braille & Initiatives for Visually Impaired Persons

Faral Sakhi

Why in News?

Recently, the Faral Sakhi initiative was launched by Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) to empower women entrepreneurs.

• Faral Sakhi – It is a flagship initiative, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in the city of Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.
• Aim – To create permanent employment opportunities for women by engaging them in the production and sale of traditional festive snacks (‘Faral’).
• Launched by – Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), in collaboration with Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).
• Technical training – 25 women from Mira Bhayandar have been selected to receive technical training in business operations.
• The training is facilitated by the Centre for Education, Governance, and Public Policy (CEGP Foundation).
• Supports local economy – This initiative equips participants with essential skills and knowledge to establish sustainable businesses, contributing significantly to the local economy.
• MBMC – Has established a central kitchen that allows women from self-help groups (SHGs) to produce festive snacks (‘Faral’) professionally.
• Award to Reward (ATR) initiative of WEP – Faral Sakhi initiative was unveiled the ATR.

Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)

• Focuses – On empowering women entrepreneurs by addressing information gaps and providing support across critical areas such as:
  • Access to finance, market linkages, training and skilling, mentoring and networking, compliance and legal assistance and business development services.
• An initiative of NITI Aayog.

Over 30,000 women entrepreneurs already engaged with Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).

• Award to Reward initiative is a component under it.

References

1. PIB| Faral Sakhi Initiative
2. The Statesman | Faral Sakhi Initiative

Rat-Hole Mining

Why in News?

Recently, several workers have been trapped for more than 12 hours in a rat-hole mine after it was flooded with water in Dima Hasao district, Assam.

• Rat-hole mining – It is a method of extracting coal from narrow and horizontal seams.
• The term “rat hole” refers to the narrow pits dug into the ground, typically just large enough for 1 person to descend and extract coal.
• It is prevalent in Meghalaya.
• Process – Once the pits are dug, miners use ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams.
• The coal is then manually extracted using primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels and baskets.

• Issues – The mines are typically unregulated and lacking safety measures such as proper ventilation, structural support or safety gear for the workers.
• The mining process cause land degradation, deforestation and water pollution.
• Unregulated mining lead to water with high concentrations of sulphates, iron, and toxic heavy metals, low dissolved oxygen, and high biochemical oxygen demand.

The two rivers, Lukha and Myntdu, became too acidic to sustain aquatic life because of unregulated mining in Meghalaya.

• Its hazardous working conditions, environmental damage and numerous accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.
• Ban – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice in 2014 and retained the ban in 2015.

Reference

The Indian Express| Rat Hole Mining trapped workers in Assam

Related News Article

Rat Hole Mining to rescue trapped workers in Uttarakhand