The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) on April 08, 2025, notified regarding the Quality and conditions of explosives provided for use in mines.
The following has been stated namely: -
• It emphasizes that all explosives used in mines shall be of good quality and in proper condition, as required under the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, and the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961.
• It notes that inspections have revealed poor quality checks and inadequate control mechanisms in mine magazines, leading to safety lapses. Between 2019 and 2024, there were 21 fatal accidents involving explosives in mines, causing 44 deaths and 12 serious injuries, mainly due to misfires, accidental initiations, and unsafe blasting practices.
• Tests conducted at CSIR-CIMFR, Dhanbad, after a blast accident found some batches of electronic detonators failing to meet BIS standards. Consequently, the DGMS has directed manufacturers, testing agencies, and mine managements to strictly ensure compliance with relevant BIS specifications and to maintain effective quality-control mechanisms before using explosives to prevent further accidents.
[Notification no. - DGMS(Tech.)(S&T) Circular No. 01]
