{{About|the operational area of ECL in Jharkhand, India|1 its namesake village|Mugma}} {{Infobox mine | name = Mugma Area | image = | width = | caption = | pushpin_map = India Jharkhand#India | pushpin_label = Mugma Area | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jharkhand | coordinates = {{coord|23.7761|N|86.7274|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}} | place = | owner = [[Eastern Coalfields|Eastern Coalfields Limited]] | official website = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/ | acquisition year = | stock_exchange = | stock_code = | products = Non-coking coal | financial year = | amount = | closing year = }} '''Mugma Area''' is one of the 14 operational areas of [[Eastern Coalfields|Eastern Coalfields Limited]] located in [[Dhanbad district]] in the state of [[Jharkhand]], [[India]].
==Geography== {{OSM Location map | width=450| height=450| zoom=12 | coord={{coord|23|45|25|N|86|44|22|E}}| float=left|caption='''Collieries in the Mugma Area of Eastern Coalfields'''<br/>U: Underground Colliery, O: Open Cast Colliery, C: Combined Underground and Open Cast Collieries, A: Area headquarters
|mark-coord1= {{coord|23|48|36|N|86|40|12|E}}| label-pos1=right|label1= Chapapur II Colliery | numbered1=U| mark-title1=Chapapur II Colliery (U)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=13| mark-size1=14|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#800000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2 |mark-coord2= {{coord|23|48|5|N|86|41|50|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2=Badjna Colliery| numbered2=C| mark-title2=Badjna Colliery (C)| shape-color2=#A40000 |mark-coord3={{coord|23|47|45|N|86|42|53|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3=Hariajam OCP | numbered3=O|mark-title3= Hariajam OCP (O)| shape-color3=#C42222 |mark-coord4={{coord|23|46|5|N|86|44|41|E}} | label-pos4=top|label4=Mandman Colliery | numbered4=C|mark-title4= Mandman Colliery (C)|shape-color4=#A40000 |mark-coord5={{coord|23|46|0|N|86|45|30|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=ECL Mugma Area Office| numbered5=A|mark-title5= ECL Mugma Area Office (A)| shape-color5=black| label-size5=14|label-color5=black |mark-coord6={{coord|23|44|53|N|86|47|42|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6=Kumardhubi Colliery | numbered6=U|mark-title6= Kumardhubi Colliery (U)| |mark-coord7={{coord|23|44|56|N|86|44|42|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7=Gopinathpur OCP | numbered7=O|mark-title7= Gopinathpur OCP (O)| shape-color7=#C42222 |mark-coord8={{coord|23|45|47|N|86|44|28|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8=Lakhmimata Colliery | numbered8=C|mark-title8= Lakhmimata Colliery (C)| shape-color8=#A40000 |mark-coord9={{coord|23|45|32|N|86|45|18|E}} | label-pos9=left|label9=Kapasara Colliery | numbered9=U|mark-title9= Kapasara Colliery (U)| |mark-coord10={{coord|23|46|08|N|86|43|16|E}} | label-pos10=left|label10=Shyampur A Colliery | numbered10=U|mark-title10= Shyampur A Colliery (U)| |mark-coord11={{coord|23|45|45|N|86|43|58|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11=Shyampur B Colliery | numbered11=U|mark-title11= Shyampur B Colliery (U)| |mark-coord12={{coord|23|45|23|N|86|47|10|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12=Rajpura OCP | numbered12=O|mark-title12= Rajpura OCP| shape-color12=#C42222 |mark-coord13={{coord|23|45|8|N|86|48|40|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Baramuri OCP | numbered13=O|mark-title13= Baramuri OCP| shape-color13=#C42222 |mark-coord14={{coord|23|46|31|N|86|42|43|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Khas Nirsa OCP | numbered14=O|mark-title14= Khas Nirsa OCP| shape-color14=#C42222 |mark-coord15={{coord|23|48|20|N|86|46|56|E}}| label15= Maithon Dam | label-color15 = #77A1CB | label-angle15=0| label-pos15=top| label-size15=12| mark-size15=0| mark-title15 =none |mark-coord16={{coord|23|48|10|N|86|46|56|E}}| label16= Reservoir| label-color16 = #77A1CB | label-angle16=0| label-pos16=top| label-size16=12| mark-size16=0| mark-title16 =none |mark-coord17={{coord|23|41|48|N|86|42|40|E}}| label17= Panchet Dam | label-color17 = #77A1CB | label-angle17=-5| label-pos17=top| label-size17=12| mark-size17=0| mark-title17 =none |mark-coord18={{coord|23|41|48|N|86|44|6|E}}| label18= Reservoir| label-color18 = #77A1CB | label-angle18=8| label-pos18=top| label-size18=12| mark-size18=0| mark-title18 =none}}
===Location=== The Mugma Area is located around {{coord|23.7761|N|86.7274|E|region:IN|}}
The Mugma Area is bounded by the rural areas of Jamtara district on the north, the [[Sodepur Area]] of ECL, in Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal, across the [[Barakar River|Barakar]], on the east, [[Raghunathpur subdivision]] of Purulia district of West Bengal, across the [[Damodar River|Damodar]], on the south, and the [[Jharia Coalfield]] on the west. While [[Maithon Dam]], across the Barakar, is in the north-east, [[Panchet Dam]], across the Damodar, is in the south-east.<ref name=google>Google maps</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajora_Area#/media/File:ECL_Area_Map.jpg| title = ECL Area Map | publisher = ENVIS Centre on Environmental Problems of Mining | accessdate = 18 August 2018}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=November 2020}}
The map alongside shows some of the collieries in the Area. However, as the collieries do not have individual pages, there are no links in the full screen map.
===Coal=== As per the Shodhganga website, the following collieries of the Mugma field function under the Mugma Area of [[Eastern Coalfields]]: Chapapur II, Badjna, Nirsa, Mandman, Kapasara, Lakhimata, Kumardhubi, Gopinathpur, Khudia Open Cast, Khudia Under Ground, Shyampur A, Shyampur B, Hariyajam, Rajpura OCP and Barmuri OCP.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dhanbad.nic.in/mines.html | title = Dhanbad - Coal Capital of India | work = List of Coal Mines in Dhanbad | publisher = Jharkhand Government | accessdate = 14 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171013120533/http://www.dhanbad.nic.in/mines.html | archive-date = 13 October 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
As per ECL website telephone numbers, operational collieries in the Mugma Area in 2018 are: Badjna Colliery, Bermury OCP, Chapapur Colliery, Gopinathpur Colliery, Hariajam Colliery, Kumardhubi Colliery, Khoodia Colliery, Kapasara Colliery, Lakhimata Colliery, Mandman Colliery, Rajpura OCP and Shampur B.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/contactus/cugtel/mugma.pdf | title = Area-wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers | work = Mugma Area | publisher = Eastern Coalfields Limited | accessdate = 14 August 2018}}</ref>
The Chanch Victoria Area of [[Bharat Coking Coal|BCCL]] is spread over Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Jharkhand part of the Chanch Victoria Area is located outside the south-eastern part of Mugma Area. While collieries such as Basantimata are still in operation, other collieries such as Chanch have been closed.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bcclweb.in/?page_id=1715 | title = Chanch Victoria Area | work = Overview | publisher = Bharat Coking Coal Limited | accessdate = 14 August 2018}}</ref>
[[Image:ECL Area Map.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Operational Areas of ECL (Source:[http://ismenvis.nic.in/Database/Parascole_West_Colliery_06071999_9295.aspx ENVIS Centre on Environmental Problems of Mining])]]
==Mining plan== ''Cluster 1'', a group of 11 mines, is in the western part of [[Raniganj Coalfield]] (west of [[Barakar River]]) in the [[Nirsa (community development block)|Nirsa]] CD Block in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. An overview of the proposed mining activity plan in Cluster 1, in the Mugma Area, as of 2015–16, is as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.easterncoal.nic.in/notices/environment/20161130mugma1.pdf | title = Environmental Statement for Cluster 1 Group of Mines| work = 2015-16 | publisher = Central Mine Planning and Design Institute | accessdate = 25 August 2018}}</ref>
1. Hariajam underground mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.11 million tonnes and peak annual production capacity of 0.14 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. In Hariajam UG mine extraction of coal was being carried out in the Brindabanpur (BP) seam and Gopinathpur (GP) seam through development panels by the [[Room and pillar mining|bord and pillar method]].<br/> 2. Badjna UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.05 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. In Badjna UG mine extraction of coal was being carried out in the Brindabanpur (BP) seam and Kalimati (KM) seam through development panels by the bord and pillar method.<br/> 3. Chapapur II UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.15 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.20 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Chapapur OC patch had an expected life of 1 year. In Chapapur UG mine extraction of coal was being carried out in the Mehtadih seam and Kalimati (KM) seam. In Kalimati seam, depillaring operation was under progress with caving. In Mehtadih seam, development of pillars was under progress.<br/> 4. Khoodia UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.05 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Khoodia OC patch had an expected life of 1 year. In Khoodia UG mine extraction of coal was being carried out in the Brindabanpur seam in development phase. Further development work was planned to be done in the top section of Brindabanpur seam and in some portion of Mugma Special seam.<br/> {{OSM Location map | width=300| height=350| zoom=11 | coord={{coord|23|44|50|N|86|45|30|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities, towns and locations in the eastern portion of Dhanbad Sadar subdivision in Dhanbad district'''<br/>M: Municipality, CT: census town, N: neighbourhood, R: Rural/ Urban centre, D: Dam, P: Power Plant<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly |mark-coord1={{coord|23|47|40|N|86|42|34|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1= Bhamal | numbered1=CT| mark-title1=[[Bhamal]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1= #A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2 |mark-coord2={{coord|23|44|5|N|86|46|29|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2= Panchmahali| numbered2=CT| mark-title2=[[Panchmahali]] (CT) |mark-coord3={{coord|23|42|45|N|86|47|24|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3= Dumarkunda| numbered3=CT| mark-title3=[[Dumarkunda]] (CT) |mark-coord4={{coord|23|41|24|N|86|45|36|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4= Panchet| numbered4=CT| mark-title4=[[Panchet]] (CT) |mark-coord5={{coord|23|47|29|N|86|41|47|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= Panrra| numbered5=CT| mark-title5=[[Panrra]] (CT) |mark-coord6={{coord|23|47|11|N|86|42|16|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6= Nirsa| numbered6=CT| mark-title6=[[Nirsa]] (CT) |mark-coord7={{coord|23|45|36|N|86|43|48|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7= Marma| numbered7=CT| mark-title7=[[Marma, Dhanbad]] (CT) |mark-coord8={{coord|23|45|10|N|86|46|12|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Egarkunr| numbered8=CT| mark-title8=[[Egarkunr]] (CT) |mark-coord9={{coord|23|45|10|N|86|47|0|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Siuliban| numbered9=CT| mark-title9=[[Siuliban]] (CT) |mark-coord10={{coord|23|45|32|N|86|47|37|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Mera| numbered10=CT| mark-title10=[[Mera, Dhanbad]] (CT) |mark-coord11={{coord|23|46|12|N|86|48|30|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Maithon| numbered11=CT| mark-title11=[[Maithon]] (CT) |mark-coord12={{coord|23|44|24|N|86|48|0|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12=Chirkunda| numbered12=M| mark-title12= [[Chirkunda]] (M) |label-color12=#800000 |mark-coord13={{coord|23|44|49|N|86|47|5|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Kumardubi| numbered13=N| mark-title13= [[Kumardubi]] (N) |shape-color13= #C42222 |mark-coord14={{coord|23|46|12|N|86|43|48|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14=Mugma| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Mugma]] (R)| shape-14 =#C42222 |mark-coord15={{coord|23|46|34|N|86|43|39|E}} | label-pos15=right|label15=ECL Mugma Area |numbered15=0 | mark-title15=Mugma Area |shape-color15=black| label-size15=13|label-color15=black <!-- make the subject of the article stand out with black colors --> |mark-coord16={{coord|23|43|45|N|86|44|30|E}} | label-pos16=bottom|label16=BCCL Chanch/ Victoria Area |numbered16=0 | mark-title16=[[Chanch/ Victoria Area]] | label-size16=12| shape-color16=#AA6666 |mark-coord17={{coord|23.7809|86.8055}}| label17= Maithon|labela17= Dam| label-color17 = #C42222 | label-angle17=0| label-pos17=top| label-size17=10| mark-size17=12| numbered17=D|mark-title17 =[[Maithon Dam]]| shape-color17=#C42222 |mark-coord18={{coord|23.6823|86.7473}}| label18= Panchet|labela18= Dam| label-color18 = #C42222 | label-angle18=0| label-pos18=right| label-size18=10| mark-size18=12| numbered18=D|mark-title18 =[[Panchet Dam]]| shape-color18=#C42222 |mark-coord19={{coord|23|49|4|N|86|45|23|E}} | label-pos19=left|label19= Maithon Power Plant | numbered19=P| mark-title19= [[Maithon Power Plant]] |shape-color19=#967117}}
5. Lakhimata UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.08 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Lakhimata OC patch had an expected life of 8 years. In Lakhimata UG mine extraction of coal was being carried out in the Mugma Special seam and Mehtadih seam through development panels by the board and pillar method.<br/> 6. Shampur B UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.09 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Shampur B (Sangamahal) OC patch had an expected life of 3 years. Shampur B was in the development phase. <br/> 7. Mandman UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.07 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Kalimati bottom seam was being worked by the board and pillar method, and was under depillaring (with caving) phase. Preparations for development of pillars in Mehtadih seam had also been taken up. Development virgin patches of Kalimati bottom seam was also planned.<br/> 8. Nirsa OC patch, with normative annual production capacity of 0.09 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 11 years.<br/> 9. Shampur A UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.05 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Shampur A OC patch had an expected life of 2 years.<br/> 10. Gopinathpur UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.05 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Gopinathpur OC patch had an expected life of 5 years.<br/> 11. Kapasara UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.10 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.15 mt, had an expected life of more than 25 years. Kapasara OC patch had an expected life of 5 years.
An overview of the proposed mining activity plan in ''Cluster 2'', a group of 3 mines in the Mugma Area, as of 2015–16, is as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://easterncoal.gov.in/notices/environment/20161130mugma2.pdf | title = Environmental Statement for Cluster 2 Group of Mines | work = 2015-16| publisher = Central Mine Planning and Design Institute | accessdate = 25 August 2018}}</ref>
1. Kumardhubi UG mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.08 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.10 mt, had an expected life of more than 20 years. Kumardhubi is a pre-nationalisation mine. SP top seam was being developed by the bord and pillar method, with entry through BL Incline. Another small patch at SP top seam was being developed by the same method, with entry through Pit No. 2.<br/> 2. Barmuri OC mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.18 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.23 mt, had an expected life of more than 10 years. Kalimati seam was being worked in this mine.<br/> 3. Rajpura OC mine, with normative annual production capacity of 0.10 mt and peak annual production capacity of 0.12 mt, had an expected life of more than 5 years. Kalimati seam was being worked but very little reserve is left. Moreover, the mine faces land constraints owing to presence of densely populated area, Eastern Railway [[Grand Chord]] line, [[Grand Trunk Road]] etc. Progress in Rajpura OC is limited.
==Illegal mining== Mines abandoned, after economic extraction is over, are the main sources of [[illegal mining]], which is generally done in small patches in a haphazard manner and mining sites keep on changing. Illegal mining leads to roof falling, water flooding, poisonous gas leaking, leading to the death of many labourers. As per the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, there are 203 illegal mining sites in ECL spread over Satgram, Sripur, Salanpur, Sodepur, Kunstoria, Pandveshwar, Mugma, Santhal Parganas Mines and Rajmahal.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Report-Prevention%20of%20%20illegal%20coal%20mining%20and%20theft.pdf | title = Part I | work = Chapter II: Problem of Illegal Mining and Theft of Coal | publisher = Indian Environmental Portal | accessdate = 11 August 2018}}</ref>
==Land subsidence and fire== Rampant illegal mining in the pits abandoned by [[Bharat Coking Coal|BCCL]] and [[Eastern Coalfields|ECL]] in the Jharkhand-West Bengal border regions has assumed alarming proportions threatening both rail and road connections in the region. According to the [[Directorate General of Mines Safety|DGMS]], there are at least 22 villages and a few industrial towns, with an estimated population of a million, virtually dangling over empty pits. Illegal miners leave behind the pits vacant after taking out the coal. BCCL and ECL, who have filled up some abandoned pits in Sripur, Sodepur, Kajora, Salanpur and Mugma Areas, do not have funds to fill up large number of abandoned pits. A comprehensive rehabilitation package is estimated at Rs. 15,000 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/that-sinking-feeling/208091 | title = That Sinking Feeling| work = Arindam Mukherjee, Santanu Guha Roy | publisher = Outlook, 13 September 1999 | accessdate = 15 August 2018}}</ref> There have been incidents of land subsidence all over the region. In 2015, a section of the road connecting Kapasara Open Cast Project caved in.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/1151206/jsp/jharkhand/story_56934.jsp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151212182906/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151206/jsp/jharkhand/story_56934.jsp | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 12, 2015 | title = MP red flag on road widening | publisher = The Telegraph, 5 December 2015 | accessdate = 15 August 2018}}</ref>
Another major problem is fire in the abandoned mines. One such mine at Brindabanpur, 50 m from [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]] and 100 m from the [[Grand Chord]] railway track, was on fire in 2014. Woken up by the noise of explosions, the residents alerted the Mugma Area offices of ECL. They came and took action to extinguish the fire and fill up the abandoned mine. As a precautionary measure 650 workers of ECL's adjoining Lakhimata Colliery were evacuated.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140724/jsp/jharkhand/story_18647045.jsp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180815055408/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140724/jsp/jharkhand/story_18647045.jsp | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 15, 2018 | title = Nirsa smoked out in coalmine fire – Spewing poison | work = Praduman Choubey | publisher = The Telegraph, 24 July 2014 | accessdate = 15 August 2018}}</ref>
==Transport== {{Asansol–Gaya section|collapse=yes}} The [[Asansol–Gaya section]], which is a part of [[Howrah-Gaya-Delhi line]] and [[Howrah-Allahabad-Mumbai line]] passes through the Mugma Area.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/varanasi-asansol-memu-63554/2979/1388/7#st |title = 53522 => 63554 Varanasi-Asansol MEMU |work = Time Table | publisher= indiarailinfo | accessdate = 11 August 2018}}</ref>
The old [[Grand Trunk Road]] passes through the Mugma Area. [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]] (old numbering NH 2), running from Agra to Kolkata, leaves GT Road at near Brindabanpur and passes mostly outside the crowded towns and mining areas and rejoins GT Road after [[Asansol]].<ref name=google/>
==See also== * [[Chanch/ Victoria Area]] of [[Bharat Coking Coal|BCCL]] functioning in the same region.
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Operational Areas of ECL}}
[[Category:Coal mining operational areas in Jharkhand]]