Stricter Rules for Assistant Managers in Coal Mines

Dhanbad, September 16, 2025

In a bid to tighten safety and improve supervision in India’s coal sector, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has issued a new notification redefining how many Assistant Managers must be appointed in underground and opencast mines.

The order, published as G.S.R. 640(E), replaces the 2019 guidelines and is expected to impact almost every operating coal mine in the country. By linking manpower deployment to mine size and production, the move aims to reduce accidents, strengthen statutory compliance, and create safer workplaces.

Underground Mines: Output-Linked Supervision

For underground mines, the rule is straightforward – the bigger the production, the higher the number of Assistant Managers. Mines producing up to 10,000 tonnes per month must appoint at least one Assistant Manager. Beyond this, one additional Assistant Manager is required for every 5,000 tonnes or part thereof.

In larger mines exceeding 20,000 tonnes per month, at least one Assistant Manager must hold a First Class Manager’s Certificate, ensuring certified technical supervision at all times.

Opencast Mines: Graded on Material Handled

For opencast mines, the rules are broader and depend on the Average Material Handled (AMH) – which includes both coal and overburden.

- Small mines (up to 6 Mm³ annually) require limited coverage across planning, coal and overburden operations, and safety.
- Medium mines (6–18 Mm³) require extra deployment in blasting, dump stability, dust suppression, and traffic management.
- Large mines (18–36 Mm³) expand further with additional staff for overburden, hazards, and health compliance.
- Very large mines (36–100 Mm³) demand heavy deployment across almost all functions, including multiple posts in coal, OB, haul roads, dumps, lighting, and safety management.
- Mega mines (100+ Mm³) must maintain the maximum strength, covering every operational area extensively.

Round-the-Clock Coverage

Deployment is not confined to the general shift. Assistant Managers must also be on duty during evening and night shifts in key areas such as coal production, overburden removal, dumps, haul roads, dust suppression, illumination, and mine dispatch. Larger mines will need more Assistant Managers per shift, ensuring continuous 24×7 supervision.

Extra Manpower for Bigger Risks

Additional Assistant Managers must be appointed when AMH exceeds the lower limit of a category. The scale is progressive – smaller increments require more frequent additions, while mega mines still need steady increases. Importantly, at least 30% of all Assistant Managers must hold a First Class Certificate, and additional staff must be kept to cover leave, sickness, or holidays.

Beyond Numbers: Safety First

The framework makes it clear that every corner of the mine – from disused workings and active pits to haul roads, dumps, stockyards, CHP units, and contractor-run sites – must fall under an Assistant Manager’s charge. In specialised areas like haul roads or lighting, qualified mining engineers may also be considered.