Introduction 

 The DGMS (Tech) Instruction No. 01 of 2025, issued from Dhanbad, clarifies conditions for appointing Managers in small opencast metalliferous mines under Regulation 34(4) & 34(6) of MMR 1961. 

  👉 Why important?

• Many small opencast mines operate with limited production, manpower, and equipment.
• Appointing First Class Managers everywhere was not practical.
• Several accidents in the past showed lack of supervision → hence, DGMS introduced a balanced system: limited relaxation, but with strict safety caps (on explosives, workers, equipment).

📌 For DGMS exams, this circular is a hotspot, as it directly connects statutory regulations with managerial responsibilities.

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🔹 1. Legal Framework

• Metalliferous Mines Regulations (MMR) 1961 → Reg. 34(4) & 34(6).
• Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) 2017 → equivalent provisions.
• Mines Act, 1952 (Sec. 17) → Every mine must have a Manager.
• DGMS Circular 2025 → allows flexibility but ensures no compromise on safety.

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🔹 2. First Class Manager’s Certificate ✅ Allowed:

• 4 mines (no deep hole blasting, HEMM).
• 3 mines (deep hole blasting).
• 2 mines (controlled deep hole blasting near structures).

✅ Restrictions:

• Distance ≤ 5 km.
• Blasting only in 1 mine/day.
• Employment ≤ 150 across all mines.
• Explosives ≤ 750 kg/day.
• Machinery ≤ 2000 HP.
• Work only one daylight shift.

Example: A First Class Manager may manage 3 small iron ore OC mines (each 40 workers, 200 HP equipment, total explosives 600 kg/day) → valid.

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🔹 3. Second Class Manager’s Certificate ✅ Allowed:

• 3 mines (no deep hole blasting).
• 2 mines (with deep hole blasting).
• 1 mine (with controlled deep hole blasting).

✅ Restrictions:

• Employment ≤ 100.
• Explosives ≤ 500 kg/day.
• Machinery ≤ 2000 HP.
• One daylight shift only.

Example: A Second Class Manager may manage 2 small bauxite OC mines using deep hole blasting, with 80 workers total and 400 kg explosives → valid.

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🔹 4. Degree in Mining Engineering ✅ Allowed:

• Manage up to 2 mines.
• Must have 6 months post-degree experience.

✅ Restrictions:

• No deep hole blasting.
• Employment ≤ 75.
• Explosives ≤ 100 kg/day.
• Machinery ≤ 1000 HP.

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🔹 5. Diploma in Mining Engineering ✅ Allowed:

• Manage only 1 mine.
• Must have 6 months post-diploma experience.

✅ Restrictions:

• No deep hole blasting.
• Employment ≤ 50.
• Explosives ≤ 50 kg/day.
• No crushing/screening plant.
• Machinery ≤ 1000 HP.

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🔹 6. Foreman’s / Overman’s Certificate ✅ Allowed:

• Manage up to 2 mines.

✅ Restrictions:

• No deep hole blasting.
• Employment ≤ 75.
• Explosives ≤ 100 kg/day.
• Machinery ≤ 750 HP.
• Must be assisted by Mate/Sirdar.

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🔹 7. Mining Mate’s / Sirdar’s Certificate ✅ Allowed:

• Manage only 1 mine.

✅ Restrictions:

• No blasting allowed.
• Employment ≤ 50.
• No HEMM.
• No crushing/screening plant.

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🔹 8. Comparison Table (Quick Reference)

Category	Mines Allowed	Employment	Explosives/day	HP Limit	Blasting	Notes
First Class	4/3/2	150	750 kg	2000	Yes	1 daylight shift
Second Class	3/2/1	100	500 kg	2000	Yes	Stricter limits
Degree Holder	2	75	100 kg	1000	No	6 months exp.
Diploma Holder	1	50	50 kg	1000	No	No plant
Foreman/Overman	2	75	100 kg	750	No	Assisted by Mate/Sirdar
Mate/Sirdar	1	50	0	0	No	Very small mines

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🔹 9. Exam Shortcuts (Mnemonics & Tricks)

• “4-3-2 Rule” → First Class (4 mines no blasting, 3 deep hole, 2 controlled).
• “3-2-1 Rule” → Second Class (3 no blasting, 2 deep hole, 1 controlled).
• Degree → 2 mines, 100 explosives, 1000 HP.
• Diploma → 1 mine, 50 workers, 50 explosives.
• Foreman → 2 mines, 75 workers, 100 explosives, 750 HP.
• Mate/Sirdar → 1 mine, 50 workers, no blasting, no HEMM.
• All → single daylight shift only.
• Distance rule = 5 km max.
• Deep hole diameter = 115 mm max.
• Validity of authorization = 12 months.

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🔹 10. Expanded MCQs (35 Qs – DGMS Exam Style) 

  Q1. DGMS Instruction 2025 deals with Manager appointment under which regulation?
A) MMR Reg. 30
B) CMR Reg. 10
C) MMR 1961 Reg. 34(4) & 34(6)
D) Mines Act Sec. 17
E) CMR 2017 Reg. 11 

 Answer: C
Solution: Instruction covers Regulation 34(4) & 34(6) of MMR 1961.

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Q2. How many small OC mines can a First Class Manager supervise without deep hole blasting?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
E) Unlimited 

 Answer: C
Solution: 4 mines without deep hole blasting.

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Q3. First Class Manager with controlled deep hole blasting can manage:
A) 1 mine
B) 2 mines
C) 3 mines
D) 4 mines
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Only 2 mines allowed with controlled deep hole blasting.

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Q4. Maximum daily explosives allowed under First Class Manager multi-mine condition:
A) 500 kg
B) 600 kg
C) 750 kg
D) 1000 kg
E) 150 kg 

 Answer: C
Solution: Limit = 750 kg/day.

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Q5. Second Class Manager can manage maximum how many mines (no deep hole blasting)?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5 

 Answer: C
Solution: 3 mines allowed.

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Q6. Second Class Manager with deep hole blasting can supervise:
A) 1 mine
B) 2 mines
C) 3 mines
D) 4 mines
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: 2 mines allowed.

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Q7. Second Class Manager explosives/day limit is:
A) 100 kg
B) 200 kg
C) 300 kg
D) 500 kg
E) 750 kg 

 Answer: D
Solution: 500 kg/day.

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Q8. Degree holder in Mining Engg. may manage max:
A) 1 mine
B) 2 mines
C) 3 mines
D) 4 mines
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Max 2 mines, with 6 months exp.

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Q9. Degree holder daily explosives limit:
A) 50 kg
B) 100 kg
C) 200 kg
D) 500 kg
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: 100 kg/day.

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Q10. Diploma holder in Mining Engg. may manage:
A) 1 mine only
B) 2 mines
C) 3 mines
D) 4 mines
E) None 

 Answer: A
Solution: Diploma holder allowed for only 1 mine.

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Q11. Diploma holder explosives/day limit:
A) 25 kg
B) 50 kg
C) 100 kg
D) 500 kg
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Max 50 kg/day.

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Q12. Foreman/Overman certificate holder may manage how many mines?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Up to 2 mines.

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Q13. Foreman/Overman employment limit (all mines):
A) 50
B) 75
C) 100
D) 150
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Limit = 75 persons.

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Q14. Foreman/Overman daily explosives limit:
A) 50 kg
B) 75 kg
C) 100 kg
D) 200 kg
E) 500 kg 

 Answer: C
Solution: Limit = 100 kg/day.

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Q15. Mate/Sirdar may be permitted to manage:
A) 1 mine
B) 2 mines
C) 3 mines
D) 4 mines
E) None 

 Answer: A
Solution: Only 1 mine.

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Q16. Mate/Sirdar mines → blasting allowed?
A) Yes, up to 100 kg
B) Yes, up to 50 kg
C) No blasting allowed
D) Controlled blasting only
E) Only OB blasting 

 Answer: C
Solution: No blasting allowed.

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Q17. Mate/Sirdar maximum employment allowed:
A) 25
B) 40
C) 50
D) 75
E) 100 

 Answer: C
Solution: 50 persons max.

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Q18. Horsepower limit for First/Second Class mines:
A) 1000 HP
B) 1500 HP
C) 2000 HP
D) 750 HP
E) None 

 Answer: C
Solution: 2000 HP limit.

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Q19. Horsepower limit for Diploma holder mines:
A) 500 HP
B) 750 HP
C) 1000 HP
D) 2000 HP
E) None 

 Answer: C
Solution: 1000 HP.

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Q20. Horsepower limit for Foreman/Overman mines:
A) 500 HP
B) 750 HP
C) 1000 HP
D) 2000 HP
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: 750 HP limit.

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Q21. All categories – shift condition is:
A) 2 shifts/day
B) 3 shifts/day
C) Single daylight shift (8 hours)
D) Night shift only
E) Flexible 

 Answer: C
Solution: Only 1 daylight shift of 8 hrs allowed.

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Q22. Distance limit between farthest mines in multi-mine supervision:
A) 2 km
B) 3 km
C) 5 km
D) 10 km
E) Unlimited

 Answer: C
Solution: 5 km limit.

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Q23. Controlled deep hole blasting is permitted in First/Second Class mines if:
A) Structure >500 m away
B) Structure lies within danger zone
C) Structure outside mining lease
D) Only DGMS permits
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Controlled blasting = when permanent structure lies in danger zone.

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Q24. Diameter of deep hole allowed in small OC mines:
A) 75 mm
B) 100 mm
C) 115 mm
D) 150 mm
E) None 

 Answer: C
Solution: Max dia = 115 mm.

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Q25. Validity of authorization under this circular is:
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 24 months
D) 36 months
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Permission valid for 12 months, renewable.

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Q26. Who must personally supervise deep hole blasting?
A) Owner
B) DGMS inspector
C) Mine Manager
D) Mine Foreman
E) Blaster 

 Answer: C
Solution: Mine Manager must supervise personally.

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Q27. In how many mines can a Degree holder manage with deep hole blasting?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) None
E) Unlimited 

 Answer: D
Solution: Degree holders not allowed deep hole blasting mines.

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Q28. For Diploma holders, processing plants are:
A) Allowed freely
B) Allowed with DGMS permission
C) Not allowed
D) Allowed up to 100 T/day
E) None 

 Answer: C
Solution: Not allowed.

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Q29. For Mate/Sirdar category, HEMM is:
A) Fully allowed
B) Partially allowed
C) Not allowed
D) Allowed with approval
E) None 

 Answer: C
Solution: No HEMM permitted.

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Q30. This DGMS 2025 instruction supersedes:
A) Mines Act 1952
B) All earlier DGMS circulars on small opencast mines
C) Coal Mines Regulations
D) Blasting rules only
E) None 

 Answer: B
Solution: Supersedes earlier instructions. 

  Q31. A First Class Manager manages 3 mines with deep hole blasting. Total workers = 140, explosives = 700 kg/day, HP = 1900. Is it valid?
A) Yes, fully valid
B) No, workers exceed limit
C) No, explosives exceed limit
D) No, HP exceeds limit
E) No, all exceed 

 Answer: A
Solution: Within limits (≤150 workers, ≤750 kg explosives, ≤2000 HP).

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Q32. A Degree holder with 8 months experience manages 2 OC mines, using 150 kg explosives/day. Is it valid?
A) Yes
B) No, explosives exceed limit
C) No, experience insufficient
D) No, more than 2 mines
E) No, HP not allowed 

 Answer: B
Solution: Degree holder limit = 100 kg/day only.

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Q33. A Diploma holder manages 1 OC mine with 60 workers and 900 HP. Is it valid?
A) Yes
B) No, workers exceed
C) No, HP exceeds
D) No, both exceed
E) Not allowed at all 

 Answer: B
Solution: Diploma limit = 50 workers max.

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Q34. Foreman certificate holder manages 2 mines, 70 workers, 100 kg explosives, 700 HP. Is it valid?
A) Yes
B) No, explosives exceed
C) No, HP exceeds
D) No, workers exceed
E) No, not allowed 

 Answer: A
Solution: Within 75 workers, 100 kg explosives, 750 HP.

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Q35. A Mate is appointed as Manager in a small OC mine using 1 excavator (500 HP). Is it valid?
A) Yes
B) No, Mate cannot manage with HEMM
C) No, HP exceeds limit
D) Yes, if ≤50 workers
E) Yes, if approved by DGMS 

 Answer: B
Solution: Mate/Sirdar category → no HEMM allowed.

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🏁 Conclusion DGMS 2025 Instruction provides graded relaxation:

• Higher certificate → more mines, more explosives, more workers allowed.
• Lower certificate → strict limits, no blasting/HEMM.
• All → only one daylight shift, ≤5 km distance, ≤115 mm holes.

📌 For DGMS exam, focus on numbers (employment, explosives, mines allowed). These are frequent MCQs.

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