Manual machines in coal mines to be phased out

Manual equipment used in coal mines would be phased out completely by 2009 - a move that would help in efficient mining and safety of labourers, sources said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the standing committee on safety of coal mines today.

Dr Dasari Narayana Rao, minister of state for coal and the chairman of the committee, urged Coal India and private companies to replace existing manual equipment like drilling rods with mechanised machines.

Other members of the committee include coal secretary HC Gupta, chief executive officers of private/public sector coal companies and  representatives of major trade unions.