🔹 Introduction The Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 (MMR 1961) 

are crucial for DGMS examinations. 

Chapter I (Preliminary) provides the scope, applicability, and definitions that form the foundation for all further regulations. 

For exam aspirants, knowing these definitions, applicability clauses, and key statutory terms is essential, as DGMS frequently asks direct and tricky questions from this part.

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🔹 Chapter 1: Preliminary – Notes for DGMS Exam 1. Applicability

• Short title: Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 (MMR 1961).
• Extends: Whole of India.
• Applies: To all mines other than coal and oil mines.

👉 Important: If it’s not a coal mine (covered by CMR 2017) or an oil mine (Oil Mines Regulations), MMR 1961 applies.

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2. Key Definitions (Important for MCQs) Some important terms from Regulation 2:

• Act → Mines Act, 1952.
• Assistant Manager → Person with Manager’s Certificate, assists manager, ranks just below him.
• Auxiliary Fan → Fan (forcing/exhausting) used underground for ventilating blind ends or faces.
• Bankman → Supervises lowering/raising at top of shaft.
• Blaster → Certified person (Manager/Foreman/Mate/Blaster’s certificate) authorized for blasting.
• Competent Person → ≥20 years, appointed in writing by Manager for supervising machinery/work.
• Face → Advancing end of working place.
• Manager → Person with prescribed qualifications, in charge of the mine.
• Metalliferous Mine → Any mine other than coal or oil.
• Mine Foreman → Certified person supervising operations, includes Shift Boss.
• Mining Mate → Certified supervisor under manager, includes Overseer/Head Mestri.
• Misfire → Failure of explosive charge to detonate.
• Official → Any supervisor appointed in writing (AM, Foreman, Mate, Engineer, Surveyor).
• Permitted Explosive → As approved by DGMS (Chief Inspector).
• Quarter → Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec.
• Shaft → Vertical/inclined opening from surface to workings.
• Underground Manager → Manager in charge of underground section.
• Ventilating District → Area with separate intake and return airway.
• Winze / Raise → Internal shaft underground.
• Working Place → Any place in mine with lawful access.

👉 For exam: Focus on Assistant Manager, Bankman, Blaster, Competent Person, Misfire, Ventilating District, Underground Manager. These are repeated DGMS favorites.

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🔹 Quick One-Liners (DGMS Revision)

1. MMR 1961 applies to all mines except coal & oil mines.
2. Act = Mines Act, 1952.
3. Assistant Manager ranks immediately below Manager.
4. Auxiliary fan ventilates blind ends/faces.
5. Bankman works at shaft top; Bellman at landings.
6. Competent person → ≥20 years, appointed in writing.
7. Manager = legally responsible head of the mine.
8. Foreman supervises sections of the mine (also called Shift Boss).
9. Mining Mate = immediate supervisor of working places.
10. Misfire = shot fails to explode.
11. Official includes AM, Foreman, Mate, Engineer, Surveyor.
12. Permitted explosives are notified in Gazette.
13. Quarter = 3 months (financial reporting).
14. Shaft includes incline.
15. Underground Manager supervises underground workings.
16. Ventilating district = independent intake + return.
17. Winze/Raise = small shaft inside mine.
18. Working place = area with lawful access.

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🔹 FAQs (Exam-Oriented) 

  Q1. Does MMR 1961 apply to coal mines?
👉 No, coal mines are governed by CMR 2017. Q2. Who is a Competent Person under MMR 1961?
👉 ≥20 years, appointed in writing by Manager, responsible for supervision of specific work/machinery. 

  Q3. Difference between Bankman and Bellman?
👉 Bankman: top of shaft. Bellman: intermediate landings. 

  Q4. Who appoints an Assistant Manager?
👉 Appointed in writing by Owner/Agent/Manager. 

  Q5. What is a Misfire?
👉 Failure of complete detonation in a shot-hole. 

  Q6. Ventilating District definition?
👉 Area with independent intake and return airway. 

  Q7. Meaning of "Metalliferous Mine"?
👉 Any mine other than coal and oil mines.

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🔹 MCQs – Metalliferous Mines Regulations 1961 (Chapter 1: Preliminary) 

Q1. Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 apply to:
A) Coal mines
B) Oil mines
C) Stone & metal mines
D) All mines in India
E) None of these Answer: C
Solution: MMR applies to all mines except coal and oil mines.

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Q2. The term “Act” in MMR 1961 refers to:
A) Factories Act, 1948
B) Mines Act, 1952
C) DGMS Circulars
D) Environment Act, 1986
E) None of these Answer: B
Solution: “Act” means Mines Act, 1952.

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Q3. Minimum age of a Competent Person under MMR 1961 is:
A) 18 years
B) 19 years
C) 20 years
D) 21 years
E) 23 years Answer: C
Solution: Must be ≥20 years.

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Q4. Bankman works at:
A) Bottom of shaft
B) Top of shaft
C) Underground haulage station
D) Coal face
E) Raise winze Answer: B
Solution: Bankman supervises lowering/raising at shaft top.

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Q5. Who is Bellman?
A) Works at pit top
B) Works at shaft landings/intermediate levels
C) Fires shots
D) Foreman underground
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Bellman operates at shaft landings.

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Q6. “Misfire” means:
A) Excessive explosives used
B) Shot explodes after delay
C) Shot fails to explode
D) Blasting without permission
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Misfire = failure of charge to explode.

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Q7. Who ranks immediately below Manager?
A) Foreman
B) Assistant Manager
C) Mining Mate
D) Engineer
E) Agent Answer: B
Solution: Assistant Manager is next in rank.

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Q8. “Face” means:
A) Any working place
B) Surface of OB dump
C) Advancing end of a working place
D) Vertical shaft wall
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Defined as advancing end.

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Q9. A Blaster is:
A) Any miner
B) Person firing explosives
C) Certified person authorized for blasting
D) Only Manager
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Blaster holds certificate & permission.

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Q10. “Official” includes:
A) Only Manager
B) Manager + Agent
C) Any appointed supervisor in writing
D) Only statutory certificate holders
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Official includes AM, Foreman, Mate, Surveyor, Engineer etc.

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Q11. Auxiliary fan is used for:
A) Main ventilation
B) Pumping out gases
C) Ventilating blind ends/faces
D) Cooling engines
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Auxiliary fan used in blind headings.

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Q12. Underground Manager means:
A) Manager in charge of whole mine
B) Manager in charge of underground section
C) Mining Mate underground
D) Foreman of UG section
E) DGMS inspector Answer: B
Solution: UG Manager = in charge of underground workings.

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Q13. A “Quarter” means:
A) One month
B) Two months
C) Three months
D) Four months
E) Six months Answer: C
Solution: Quarter = 3 months (Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, etc).

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Q14. Winze is:
A) Vertical shaft from surface
B) Underground vertical/inclined opening going down
C) Raise going upward
D) Blind heading
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Winze = underground opening going downward.

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Q15. Raise is:
A) Inclined surface drift
B) Underground opening going upward
C) Slope for haulage
D) Shaft collar
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Raise = opposite of winze.

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Q16. Working place means:
A) Office
B) Pithead
C) Any place in mine where miners have lawful access
D) Ventilation roadway only
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Defined as place with lawful access.

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Q17. Metalliferous mine means:
A) Coal mine
B) Oil mine
C) Any mine other than coal & oil
D) Only gold mine
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Covers all mines except coal and oil.

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Q18. Who appoints Assistant Manager?
A) DGMS
B) Ministry of Coal
C) Owner/Agent/Manager in writing
D) Mine Foreman
E) None Answer: C
Solution: AM appointed in writing by owner/agent/manager.

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Q19. Permitted explosive means:
A) All types of explosives
B) Any local explosive
C) Explosive approved by DGMS (Chief Inspector)
D) Explosive imported
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Defined as DGMS-approved explosive.

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Q20. Shaft includes:
A) Only vertical shaft
B) Only incline
C) Both vertical and inclined openings from surface
D) Winze
E) Raise Answer: C
Solution: Shaft includes vertical & inclined from surface.

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Q21. Who is responsible for “daily inspection of workings”?
A) Bankman
B) Blaster
C) Manager/Assistant Manager
D) Mate only
E) None Answer: C
Solution: AM/Manager responsible.

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Q22. A “Competent person” must be appointed:
A) By DGMS
B) By Foreman
C) In writing by Manager
D) By Owner only
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Appointment in writing by Manager.

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Q23. Face and Working Place are same?
A) Yes, always
B) No, face = advancing end; working place = broader area
C) Yes, in opencast only
D) No, face is underground only
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Face is advancing end; working place is larger zone.

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Q24. Ventilating district means:
A) Any mine roadway
B) Section with single intake airway only
C) Section with separate intake and return airway
D) Area with blower fan
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Defined as intake + return system.

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Q25. “Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961” were issued under which Act?
A) Factories Act, 1948
B) Mines Act, 1952
C) Mines Rescue Act, 1939
D) Oilfields Act, 1960
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Regulations framed under Mines Act, 1952.

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🔹 Conclusion Chapter I of MMR 1961 lays the groundwork by defining key roles, responsibilities, and scope of the regulations. For DGMS exams, questions are usually definition-based or about applicability clauses. Strong command over these terms ensures accuracy in tricky MCQs.

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