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The Mines Act, 1952: A Comprehensive Guide for DGMS Exam PreparationThe Mines Act of 1952 is a crucial piece of legislation enacted to regulate the working conditions in mines and ensure the safety, health, and welfare of miners. This Act extends to the whole of India and applies to every mine, whether existing or newly opened.
Objectives of the Mines Act, 1952
The primary objectives of the Act are:
The Act defines essential terms such as:
The Act lays down comprehensive provisions to ensure the health and safety of workers, including:
The Act regulates working hours to prevent overexertion and health hazards:
The Act mandates the following welfare facilities:
The Act outlines penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment for owners or managers who violate safety and welfare provisions:
Over time, several amendments have been introduced to the Mines Act, aligning it with modern safety standards and technological advancements. Key amendments include:
Challenges in Implementation
While the Act lays a strong legal foundation, challenges persist:
The Mines Act of 1952 stands as a pillar of labor protection in India's mining sector. It reflects the nation’s commitment to safeguarding those working in one of the most challenging and hazardous industries. Continuous reforms, technological adaptations, and strict enforcement are vital to ensuring the objectives of the Act are upheld in the evolving mining landscape.
1. Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of "mine" under the Mines Act 1952?
A. All borings and boreholes
B. Residential buildings for mine workers✅
C. Open cast workings
D. Conveyors or aerial ropeways for transportation
E. Workshops within the mine precincts
Answer: B) Residential buildings for mine workers
Solution: . "mine" includes workshops, open cast workings, and transportation systems, but excludes residential areas (Section VI under "Employment of a person in a mine").
2. Under Section 3, the Mines Act does NOT apply to activities involving:
A. Prospecting with 25 workers
B. Extraction of limestone with depth exceeding 6 meters
C. Open-cast gravel mining with 45 workers and no explosives
D. Coal excavation extending 10 meters below ground ✅
E. Use of explosives in building stone mining
Answer: C) Open-cast gravel mining with 45 workers and no explosives
Solution: . exempts gravel mining (open-cast) with ≤50 workers, ≤6m depth, and no explosives.
3. Who is responsible for appointing Certifying Surgeons under the Mines Act?
A. State Government
B. District Magistrate
C. Chief Inspector of Mines
D. Central Government ✅
E. Mine Owner
Answer: D) Central Government
Solution: Certifying Surgeons are appointed by the Central Government (Section 11).
4. Which condition invalidates the exemption under Section 3(1)(b) for mining ordinary sand?
A. Depth exceeds 6 meters
B. Use of explosives
C. Employment of 60 workers
D. All of the above ✅
E. None of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Solution: lists conditions: depth ≤6m, workers ≤50, and no explosives.
5. What is the reference time of day under the Mines Act?
A. Local time of the mining area
B. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
C. Indian Standard Time (IST) ✅
D. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
E. Time decided by the mine manager
Answer: C) Indian Standard Time (IST)
Solution: specifies references to time are based on IST (Section 4).
6. Who can delegate powers to Inspectors of Mines?
A. Certifying Surgeon
B. Central Government
C. Chief Inspector of Mines ✅
D. District Magistrate
E. Mine Owner
Answer: C) Chief Inspector of Mines
Solution: the Chief Inspector can delegate powers with Central Government approval (Section 6).
7. Which of the following is a duty of Certifying Surgeons?
A. Approving mine construction plans
B. Conducting medical examinations for workers in dangerous occupations ✅
C. Supervising mine safety drills
D. Issuing explosives licenses
E. Inspecting mine ventilation systems
Answer: B) Conducting medical examinations for workers in dangerous occupations
Solution: mentions Certifying Surgeons examine persons in prescribed dangerous occupations (Section 11).
8. What is the penalty for illegally disclosing confidential information obtained under the Mines Act?
A. Fine only
B. Imprisonment up to 1 year ✅
C. Suspension of mining license
D. Both A and B
E. Public reprimand
Answer: B) Imprisonment up to 1 year
Solution: specifies imprisonment up to 1 year or fine or both (Section 10).
9. Which provision requires a 3-day notice before entering a mine for surveying?
A. Section 7
B. Section 8 ✅
C. Section 9
D. Section 12
E. Section 15
Answer: B) Section 8
Solution: Section 8 mandates a 3-day notice unless an emergency (under "Powers of special officer").
10. Who is considered an "adult" under the Mines Act?
A. A person aged 16 years
B. A person aged 18 years ✅
C. A person aged 21 years
D. A person medically certified as fit
E. A person employed for over 5 years
Answer: B) A person aged 18 years
Solution: defines "adult" as someone ≥18 years (Section 2).
11. Which of the following is NOT excluded from the definition of "owner"?
A. Proprietor of the soil with no interest in minerals
B. Contractor or sub-lessee ✅
C. Person receiving royalty from the mine
D. Liquidator of the mine
E. Proprietor of the mine
Answer: B) Contractor or sub-lessee
Solution: includes contractors/sub-lessees in the definition of "owner" (Section 2).
12. What must the owner/agent provide if a worker is declared medically unfit after treatment?
A. Disability compensation ✅
B. Free housing
C. Extended leave without pay
D. Retirement benefits
E. A written apology
Answer: A) Disability compensation
Solution: O/A/M must provide disability compensation if no alternate employment is available (Section 9A).
13. Which section empowers the Central Government to alter exemption conditions?
A. Section 3(1)(a)
B. Section 3(1)(b)
C. Section 3(2) ✅
D. Section 4
E. Section 5
Answer: C) Section 3(2)
Solution: allows the Central Government to modify exemption conditions via Official Gazette (Section 3(2)).
14. Which authority can sanction prosecution for illegal disclosure of information?
A. District Magistrate
B. Chief Inspector of Mines
C. Central Government ✅
D. Certifying Surgeon
E. Committee
Answer: C) Central Government
Solution: requires Central Government sanction for prosecution (Section 10).
15. What is the maximum period for paying recovery expenses directed by the Central Government?
A. 2 weeks
B. 4 weeks
C. 6 weeks ✅
D. 8 weeks
E. 6 months
Answer: C) 6 weeks
Solution: O/A must pay within 6 weeks (Section 15).
16. Who can be appointed as Chairman of a Committee under Section 12?
A. Chief Inspector of Mines
B. A person in government service ✅
C. Mine owner representative
D. Certifying Surgeon
E. District Magistrate
Answer: B) A person in government service
Solution: specifies the Chairman must be a government employee (Section 12).
17. Which provision allows seizure of documents by an Inspector?
A. Section 7(1)(e) ✅
B. Section 8
C. Section 9A
D. Section 10
E. Section 12
Answer: A) Section 7(1)(e)
Solution: permits seizure under Section 7(1)(e) with proper procedure.
18. Which work is excluded from "employment in a mine"?
A. Construction of mine roads ✅
B. Loading minerals for dispatch
C. Servicing machinery
D. Watch and ward within mine premises
E. Health services in the mine
Answer: A) Construction of mine roads
Solution: excludes "construction of buildings, roads, wells" from employment (Section 2, Employment II).
19. What is "reportable injury" under the Mines Act?
A. Injury requiring 72+ hours absence ✅
B. Permanent loss of a body part
C. Fracture of bone
D. Injury treated onsite
E. Injury during off-duty hours
Answer: A) Injury requiring 72+ hours absence
Solution: defines "reportable injury" as absence ≥72 hours (Section 2).
20. Who is NOT part of the Committee under Section 12?
A. Chief Inspector of Mines
B. Two mining engineers in the mining industry ✅
C. Representative of coal mine owners
D. Government-appointed Chairman
E. Representative of coal miners
Answer: B) Two mining engineers in the mining industry
Solution: specifies Committee members include mining engineers not employed in the industry (Section 12).

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