Mining ops suspended in Charkhi Dadri due to safety concerns

After a mining firm continued its operations despite being served notices twice, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered suspension of the mining operations till further orders at the Pichopa Kalan mining zone located in the Aravalli ranges in Charkhi Dadri district. Two incidents of landslide had occurred at the site this month in which at least one person had suffered injuries.

Charkhi Dadri Deputy Commissioner Munish Sharma said he had ordered revocation of the mining operations till further orders and directed the mining firm to furnish a no-objection certificate from technical experts approved by the government to certify the safety of the infrastructure at the mining sites. The DC said he had taken this step in order to ensure safety of the people at the mining zone.

The DC in the letter issued on January 16 stated that the mining firm, Jai Dada Dohla Stone Mine, had been directed to remove contraventions regarding undertaking unsafe mining operations vide two memorandums served by the administration on September 12, 2024, and on January 3 this year.

“But you have not complied with the direction till date and no action has been taken by you to remove the contractions. There appears to be a lack of proper benching and contouring to carry out safe mining operations”, the letter stated while referring to the incident that occurred between January 2 and January 15 at the site. There is every possibility of grevious injury and loss of life of labourers and workers employed at the site,” it stated.

Confirming the revocation of mining operations, the DC told The Tribune that a team of experts visited the mining area today and it would further inspect the contouring and pathways regarding safe passage and safety norms.