Mine regulations are made under the provisions of Mine Act and the requirements are set out to be complied with from a health and safety viewpoint, to ensure the effective management and administration of a mine. Methods of meeting the requirements set out in the regulations are provided in the rules, which are under the regulations. The rules code provides guidance on the management and administration of health and safety in mines and deals with the more important factors influencing safety in this respect. Failure to observe any provision of the rules are deemed as an offence and may be taken by a court, in criminal proceedings, as proof that a person has contravened the regulations. The regulations and rules are intended to operate within the framework of duties and obligations provided by the Mine Act.

The Inspectorate of Mines, which is headed by the Chief Inspector of Mines, would regularly monitor and observe and make examination and inquiry whether the provisions of Mine Act, mine regulations, mine rules and bye-laws are observed in the mine.

In general the Coal Mine Act and Coal Mine Regulations provide the following provisions for: (1) Effective management and control of the mine; (2) Shaft sinking operation; (3) Fire prevention and control; (4) Precautions in vertical bunkers; (5) Protection against accidents; (6) Strata control; (7) Protection against outburst; (8) Protection against explosion; (9) Respirable coal dust control; (10) Protection against inrushes of water; (11) Protection against spontaneous combustion; (12) Control of temperature; (13) Control and prevention of poisonous gases, noises; (14) Safety in shafts and windings, (15) Safety lamps; (16) Safety of ventilation systems; (17) Electrical regulations and applications, etc.

The Barapukuria Coal Mine started its development works in late 1994 and initial and partial production commenced from 1999. Due to non-existence of anything like Bangladesh Mine Act and Bangladesh Coal Mine Regulations and since the mine developer was a Chinese Mining Consortium, the mine was developed under Chinese Mining Regulations of international standard as per provision of coal mine contract. International Mining Consultant Limited, a British mining consulting firm and consultant of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited, drafted Bangladesh Mine Regulations and Rules in 1999. The draft mining regulations and rules were examined and evaluated by Petrobangla in the light of Indian and Pakistani Mine Act and Regulations and a final draft was formulated in 2004 for the consideration of the government.

But unfortunately the said Bangladesh Mine Regulations and Rules have not yet been finalised and adopted though Barapukuria Coal Mine started commercial production in 1995. As a result Barapukuria Coal Mine is now operating under Chinese mining regulations. And also due to non-existence of "Inspectorate of Mines" the monitoring and observation of mine regulations are overlooked. This should not be continued. We must have our own Coal Mine Regulations and Rules, observance of which should be regularly monitored by the Inspectorate of Mines, a regulatory body for mines.

It is very encouraging to note that the present caretaker government has taken effective measures for the finalisation of Bangladesh Coal Policy. At the same time it would be most appropriate if effective and concrete measures are taken for the finalisation and adoption of Bangladesh Mining Regulations and Rules and establishment of Inspectorate of Mines for the implementation and monitoring of Bangladesh Mining Regulations and Rules in Barapukuria Coal Mine as well as in future coal mine projects.

The writer is a mining engineer and former Managing Director, Pashchimanchal Gas Co. Ltd. who can be reached at 'sham 19472001@yahoo.com'