Mining of Minerals and Groundwater in India

Mining of minerals is essential for our day-to-day life so is the groundwater. Mother Earth is the custodian of these two essential commodities, and both are part and parcel of sustainable living for human beings. This chapter of book focuses on the need, quantity, quality, and management of groundwater encountered in mines, from where extraction of minerals takes place. By understanding interrelationship between groundwater hydrology and mining, the basic objective of sustainability, that is, conserving for future generations with particular reference to the mines, has been addressed. Such scientific approach makes the mine planning easier, ensures better water management, and solves water scarcity as well as security problems in the vicinity of mining areas. ladders, planks, shaft timber, etc.; mine water and wetness add to the maintenance of underground equipments, reduce effectiveness of lubricant, increase corrosion, cause scaling in pipes, lead to rusting in wet exposed metallic surfaces, etc.; mine water may add to miner ’ s discomfort due to continuous wetness of protective clothes and bring illness (a form of indirect cost). Increased electrical hazards are the anticipated effect of mine water on mine safety underground.