💧 Mine Drainage & Water Control in Mines – DGMS Exam Notes 

Water is one of the major hazards in both underground and opencast mining operations. Uncontrolled accumulation can lead to flooding, machinery breakdown, slope failure, and even loss of life.
Under the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017 (Reg. 127–131), DGMS mandates systematic mine drainage and water control measures. This topic is highly important for First Class & Second Class Manager DGMS exams, especially under Mine Management and General Safety papers.

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🧭 1. Sources of Mine Water

• Surface Inflows: Rainfall, streams, and seepage through cracks.
• Underground Inflows: Old workings, aquifers, and strata seepage.
• Operational Sources: Hydraulic stowing, washing plants, or industrial use.
• Other Causes: Leakage from adjacent mines or water-bearing strata.

         DGMS Note: Managers must ensure that all inflows are assessed and recorded in mine plans.

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🚰 2. Drainage Arrangements – CMR 2017 (Reg. 127–131) Regulation 127:
All mines must be provided with adequate drainage systems to prevent accumulation of water.

• Drainage galleries and sumps should be constructed in solid strata.
• Pumping arrangements must always be available at pit bottom.

Regulation 128:
If there’s danger of inrush from old workings or waterlogged strata, proper barriers (≥ 60 m) must be left unless permitted otherwise by DGMS. 

Regulation 129:
Before approaching any suspected water-logged area:

• Boreholes must be drilled.
• Operations to be done under the supervision of a competent person.
• Boreholes should be 3–6 m ahead of the face.

Regulation 130:
Sumps and tanks must have capacity ≥ 24 hours of normal pumping. Regulation 131:
Every pump installation should be:

• Electrically protected against overloading.
• Provided with standby pumps.
• Operated only by trained persons.

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⚙️ 3. Pumping Systems in Mines Types of Pumps:

• Centrifugal pumps (main drainage)
• Submersible pumps (localized use)
• Reciprocating pumps (emergency use)

DGMS Circulars:

• Tech Circular No. 02 of 2010 – Mine safety and drainage planning.
• Circular No. 06 of 2021 – Electrical safety for pumping installations.

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🌊 4. Water Control in Opencast Mines

• Construct catch drains, garland drains, and sump pits to collect rainwater.
• Install dewatering pumps near benches.
• Maintain stormwater diversion channels.
• Regular desilting and inspection after rain are mandatory.

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⛑️ 5. DGMS Safety & Inspection Points

• Weekly check of sumps, pumps, and pipe ranges.
• Electrical control panel should be flameproof.
• Proper fencing of sumps.
• Availability of emergency pump (standby).
• Monthly report on drainage to be maintained by the manager.

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⚖️ 6. Key Responsibilities under CMR 2017

Role	Responsibility
Mine Manager	Ensures effective drainage system, pump capacity, and trained operators.
Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical)	Maintains pumps and electrical safety.
Surveyor	Records all inflow, sump, and drainage layout in mine plan.
Overman	Daily check for accumulation or leakage.

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⚡ 7. Real-world Case Studies

• Chasnala Disaster (1975): Caused by water inrush from old workings.
• Raniganj Coalfield incidents: Poor drainage planning led to pit flooding.
• Lesson: Always bore ahead, maintain proper barriers, and ensure standby pumping.

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🧩 8. Quick One-Liners (Revision Notes)

• Reg. 127–131 → Mine drainage & water control.
• Minimum sump capacity → 24 hours of pumping.
• Borehole distance ahead of face → 3–6 m.
• Barrier thickness → 60 m (unless DGMS permits otherwise).
• Pump operators → Trained & authorized only.
• Standby pumps → Mandatory.
• Old workings → Always verified by boreholes.

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🧠 Descriptive Model Answer 

  Q: Explain the statutory provisions for mine     drainage under CMR 2017 Regulations 127–  131.

  Answer:
 Mine drainage aims to prevent water  accumulation and flooding. Under CMR 2017 Reg. 127–131, all mines must maintain adequate drainage and pumping systems.

• Boreholes are drilled 3–6 m ahead near suspected water-logged strata.
• Sumps must store at least 24 hours’ worth of pumped water.
• Minimum 60 m barrier left near old water-logged workings.
• Pumps must have standby units, proper maintenance, and trained operators.
  Following these DGMS guidelines ensures mine safety and avoids inundation disasters.

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🎯 25 MCQs – Mine Drainage & Water Control 

Q1. Regulation 127 of CMR 2017 deals with:
A. Mine lighting
B. Drainage and water control
C. Fire precautions
D. Explosives handling
E. Roof support
Answer: B.
Solution: Reg. 127 specifies mine drainage requirements.

Q2. Minimum capacity of sump in underground mines is:
A. 6 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 24 hours
E. 48 hours
Answer: D.
Solution: Must hold 24 hours of pumped water (Reg. 130).

Q3. Minimum thickness of barrier against old workings:
A. 20 m
B. 40 m
C. 60 m
D. 80 m
E. 100 m
Answer: C.
Solution: DGMS rule mandates 60 m barrier unless otherwise approved.

Q4. Boreholes near water-logged strata must be drilled:
A. 1 m ahead
B. 3–6 m ahead
C. 10 m ahead
D. 20 m ahead
E. None of these
Answer: B.
Solution: CMR 2017 Reg. 129 mandates 3–6 m ahead.

Q5. The main type of pump used for mine drainage is:
A. Reciprocating
B. Centrifugal
C. Jet
D. Gear
E. Piston
Answer: B.
Solution: Centrifugal pumps are most common for main drainage. 

Q6. DGMS Circular 02 of 2010 deals with:
A. Mine rescue
B. Drainage and slope stability
C. Gas monitoring
D. Fire control
E. Dust suppression
Answer: B.
Solution: Covers slope and drainage safety standards.

Q7. Water accumulation risk is highest during:
A. Dry season
B. Monsoon season
C. Night shifts
D. Ventilation stoppage
E. Equipment breakdown
Answer: B.
Solution: Rainwater and surface inflow are highest in monsoon.

Q8. Standby pumps are required for:
A. Large opencast mines only
B. Underground mines
C. Both opencast and underground
D. Only surface workshop
E. None
Answer: C.
Solution: Mandatory in both types for emergency drainage.

Q9. In opencast mines, water is primarily controlled by:
A. Fire extinguishers
B. Garland drains & sumps
C. Blasting
D. Sandbags
E. Boreholes only
Answer: B.
Solution: Garland drains divert stormwater away from benches.

Q10. Which of the following is a preventive measure against flooding?
A. Proper ventilation
B. Borehole drilling ahead of face
C. Reducing illumination
D. Increasing depth
E. Blasting more frequently
Answer: B.
Solution: Boreholes detect water ahead and prevent inrush.

Q11. Under CMR 2017, who is responsible for maintaining adequate pumping capacity in the mine?
A. Surveyor
B. Mine Manager
C. Overman
D. Shift Incharge
E. Mining Engineer
Answer: B.
Solution: Regulation 127 clearly places overall responsibility on the Manager.

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Q12. The electrical protection system for mine pumps must prevent:
A. Dust entry
B. Overloading and short circuit
C. Lightning strikes
D. Earth tremors
E. Overheating of cables only
Answer: B.
Solution: CMR 131 mandates overload and short-circuit protection for pumps.

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Q13. Sumps in underground mines should be located:
A. Near the working face
B. In solid strata at pit bottom
C. At surface level
D. Near workshops
E. Along the main intake airway
Answer: B.
Solution: Sumps are made in solid strata to avoid collapse and contamination.

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Q14. The minimum number of standby pumps required for a major underground mine is:
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. None, if one main pump is adequate
E. Depends on DGMS approval
Answer: A.
Solution: One standby pump is mandatory as per Regulation 131.

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Q15. When approaching water-logged strata, boreholes must be drilled under the supervision of:
A. Overman
B. Surveyor
C. Competent person appointed by Manager
D. Any available supervisor
E. DGMS officer only
Answer: C.
Solution: Regulation 129 mandates drilling under a competent person’s supervision.

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Q16. The purpose of 60 m barrier pillar is:
A. For ventilation
B. To prevent inrush of water
C. For access to abandoned areas
D. To avoid dust accumulation
E. For creating sump space
Answer: B.
Solution: Barrier prevents sudden water inrush from old flooded workings.

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Q17. A sump’s capacity should be based on:
A. Average daily inflow
B. Rainfall record
C. Water table
D. 24-hour pumping requirement
E. Manager’s discretion
Answer: D.
Solution: As per Regulation 130, sump must hold 24-hour pumping volume.

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Q18. DGMS circulars on mine drainage emphasize:
A. Mine lighting standards
B. Regular pump inspection and testing
C. Roof support installation
D. Safety meeting schedules
E. Explosives storage safety
Answer: B.
Solution: DGMS Tech Circular 02/2010 covers inspection and pump testing norms.

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Q19. Water hazard classification of a mine is done based on:
A. Production
B. Depth
C. Inflow rate and old workings
D. Equipment used
E. Manager’s experience
Answer: C.
Solution: Classified according to inflow potential and proximity to old workings.

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Q20. If water accumulation exceeds sump capacity, the first action is to:
A. Stop pumping
B. Notify DGMS immediately
C. Start auxiliary or standby pumps
D. Stop operations and evacuate
E. Drill additional boreholes
Answer: C.
Solution: Activate standby pumps to handle excess water safely.

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Q21. Electric pump cables in wet conditions must be:
A. Aluminum coated
B. PVC insulated and flameproof
C. Exposed type
D. Paper insulated
E. Temporary extensions
Answer: B.
Solution: Cables must be flameproof and waterproof to prevent short-circuiting.

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Q22. In case of suspected water accumulation, the mine manager must:
A. Inform DGMS and suspend work
B. Continue mining with caution
C. Increase the ventilation
D. Seal the entire mine
E. Ignore unless inflow starts
Answer: A.
Solution: Immediate notification to DGMS and suspension of work is required.

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Q23. For opencast mines, surface water control is achieved by:
A. Sumps only
B. Catch drains, garland drains, and pumping stations
C. Blasting excess water
D. Storing in OB dump
E. None of these
Answer: B.
Solution: Drains and sumps divert and collect runoff effectively.

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Q24. Which of the following disasters highlighted poor drainage practices?
A. Chasnala (1975)
B. Raniganj (1965)
C. Kolar Gold Field (1981)
D. Jaduguda (2000)
E. Neyveli (1985)
Answer: A.
Solution: Chasnala mine disaster was caused by inrush of water from old workings.

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Q25. DGMS mandates the manager to maintain drainage records:
A. Once a month
B. Weekly
C. Daily logbook and monthly report
D. Only after inspections
E. Quarterly
Answer: C.
Solution: Regulation 131 & DGMS circulars require regular drainage reporting.

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                           🧾 Conclusion 

Mine drainage and water control form the foundation of safe mining operations. Proper sump design, pumping capacity, and DGMS compliance under CMR 2017 Reg. 127–131 help prevent disasters like flooding and inrush of water.
For DGMS exams, always remember – “Safe mines are dry mines.”

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