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Mines Act 1952 Simplified – DGMS Exam Notes, Key Provisions & 25 Solved MCQs


🏗️ Introduction
The Mines Act, 1952 is one of the most important legislation topics for DGMS First Class & Second Class Manager exams. It governs the health, safety, working hours, leave, and welfare of workers in coal, metalliferous, and oil mines. DGMS examiners often ask direct MCQs from sections of the Mines Act, so learning the simplified version with examples is crucial for success.
🔹 Background
  • Enacted: 1952 (replacing Indian Mines Act, 1923).
  • Objective: Regulate safety, health, working hours, leave, and welfare of mine workers.
  • Applies to: All mines in India (coal, metalliferous, oil).
  • Enforcement authority: DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety).
📌 Remember: This Act is the backbone of all mining legislations (CMR, MMR, MVTR, Rescue Rules all come under Mines Act, 1952).
🔹 Key Sections of the Mines Act 1952
1. Definitions (Sec. 2)
  • Mine = includes underground & opencast, shafts, adits, incline, tramways, CHP.
  • Owner, Agent, Manager → Statutory positions.
2. Working Hours
  • Adults: Max 48 hours/week & 9 hours/day.
  • Overtime: Allowed with payment.
  • Weekly rest: One day compulsory.
3. Employment Restrictions
  • No person below 18 years in underground.
  • Women → prohibited in underground, allowed in surface with time restrictions.
  • Children (below 18) → not permitted underground.
4. Health & Safety
  • Provision for ventilation, dust, sanitation, drinking water, first aid, medical exam.
  • DGMS inspectors empowered to issue notices.
5. Leave & Welfare
  • Annual leave with wages: 1 day leave for every 20 days of work.
  • Welfare provisions: canteens, crèches, shelters for workers.
6. Accident Reporting
  • Fatal accidents → must be reported to DGMS within 24 hours.
  • Serious accidents & dangerous occurrences → immediate notice.
7. Appointment of Manager (Sec. 17)
  • Every mine must have a qualified manager (First/Second Class Certificate).
  • Manager = legally responsible head of mine.
🔹 Worker Safety Clauses
  • Protective equipment: Helmets, dust masks, safety shoes.
  • Working hours control → prevent fatigue accidents.
  • Medical check-ups → PME/IME mandatory.
  • Welfare funds → health, housing, insurance.
📌 Example: DGMS inspectors may suspend mining operations if safety provisions under Mines Act are not followed.
🔹 DGMS Enforcement
  • DGMS has powers of inspection, inquiry, prohibition notices.
  • Inspectors may:
    1. Enter and inspect mines.
    2. Seize unsafe equipment.
    3. Order stoppage of operations.
    4. Prosecute owner/agent/manager for violations.
🔹 Quick One-Liners (DGMS Exam Revision)
  1. Mines Act came in 1952, replacing Indian Mines Act, 1923.
  2. Max working hours = 9/day, 48/week.
  3. Women → prohibited in underground.
  4. Children under 18 not allowed underground.
  5. Every mine must have a qualified Manager.
  6. Annual leave: 1 day for every 20 days worked.
  7. Fatal accident → report within 24 hrs.
  8. DGMS inspectors can issue prohibition notices.
  9. Welfare: canteen, crèche, shelter.
  10. Mines Act covers all types of mines in India.
🔹 Practice MCQs (DGMS Exam Style)
Q1. The Mines Act was enacted in:
 A) 1923
B) 1952
C) 1961
D) 2017
E) 1947 Answer: B
Solution: Mines Act, 1952 replaced the 1923 Act.
Q2. Maximum working hours for adults under Mines Act is:
 A) 8/day, 40/week
B) 9/day, 48/week
C) 10/day, 50/week
D) 12/day, 60/week
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Adults → 9/day, 48/week.
Q3. Can women work underground under Mines Act 1952?
 A) Yes, unrestricted
B) Yes, with DGMS permission
C) No, prohibited
D) Only in coal mines
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Women prohibited in underground mines.
Q4. Age restriction for underground employment is:
 A) 16 years
B) 17 years
C) 18 years
D) 20 years
E) 21 years Answer: C
Solution: No person below 18 years underground.
Q5. Fatal accident must be reported within:
 A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
E) One week Answer: B
Solution: Fatal accident → report within 24 hrs.
Q6. Annual leave with wages is earned after how many days of work?
 A) 10 days
B) 15 days
C) 20 days
D) 25 days
E) 30 days Answer: C
Solution: 1 day leave for every 20 days worked.
Q7. Which section makes appointment of Manager compulsory?
 A) Sec. 10
B) Sec. 15
C) Sec. 17
D) Sec. 20
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Sec. 17 → Every mine must have a manager.
Q8. Mines Act applies to:
 A) Coal mines only
B) Metalliferous mines only
C) Oil mines only
D) All mines in India
E) None Answer: D
Solution: Applies to all mines in India.
Q9. Maximum weekly working hours in Mines Act is:
 A) 40
B) 44
C) 48
D) 52
E) None Answer: C
Solution: 48 hours per week.
Q10. Who enforces Mines Act, 1952?
 A) Ministry of Coal
B) DGMS
C) Mine Owners Association
D) State Labour Department
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Enforcement by DGMS
 Q11. Maximum daily working hours under Mines Act is:
A) 8
B) 9
C) 10
D) 12
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Max daily hours = 9.
Q12. Minimum age for employment in surface mines is:
 A) 14 years
B) 15 years
C) 16 years
D) 18 years
E) 21 years Answer: D
Solution: No person below 18 years in any mine.
Q13. Who is legally responsible for safety & health in a mine?
 A) Owner
B) Agent
C) Manager
D) DGMS
E) Blaster Answer: C
Solution: Manager = statutory head.
Q14. Mines Act requires accident notice to be sent to:
 A) Police Station
B) Labour Office
C) DGMS
D) Trade Union
E) None Answer: C
Solution: DGMS must be informed.
Q15. Welfare provision NOT included in Mines Act:
 A) Canteen
B) Shelter
C) Crèche
D) Housing colony
E) First aid Answer: D
Solution: Housing not compulsory under Act.
Q16. Overtime work is allowed only with:
 A) DGMS permission
B) Owner’s verbal approval
C) Payment of overtime wages
D) Agent’s oral order
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Overtime → must be paid.
Q17. Annual medical examinations are mandatory for:
 A) Only new workers
B) All workers
C) Managers only
D) DGMS inspectors
E) None Answer: B
Solution: IME/PME compulsory for all.
Q18. Which category of workers is completely banned underground?
 A) Women
B) Men
C) Boys >18 yrs
D) Diploma holders
E) None Answer: A
Solution: Women prohibited underground.
Q19. Notice of opening a new mine must be given to:
 A) Labour Commissioner
B) DGMS
C) Ministry of Mines
D) Panchayat
E) None Answer: B
Solution: Mines Act → DGMS notice compulsory.
Q20. Which Section deals with appointment of Welfare Officers?
 A) Sec. 17
B) Sec. 45
C) Sec. 46
D) Sec. 52
E) None Answer: C
Solution: Sec. 46 – Welfare provisions.
Q21. Maternity benefit provisions under Mines Act apply to:
 A) Women in underground mines
B) Women in surface mines
C) Both A & B
D) None Answer: B
Solution: Women allowed on surface with benefits.
Q22. Every mine must have a Manager if workers exceed:
 A) 10
B) 50
C) 100
D) All mines, irrespective of number
E) None Answer: D
Solution: Every mine must have Manager.
Q23. Mines Act accident notice time limit for “serious accident” is:
 A) Immediate
B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
E) None Answer: A
Solution: Serious accidents → immediate notice.
Q24. Which Section of Mines Act empowers DGMS inspectors?
 A) Sec. 2
B) Sec. 7
C) Sec. 9
D) Sec. 10
E) Sec. 17 Answer: C
Solution: Sec. 9 → DGMS inspectors’ powers.
Q25. Mines Act is enforced by:
 A) Coal India Ltd.
B) Ministry of Coal
C) Directorate General of Mines Safety
D) State Labour Dept.
E) None Answer: C
Solution: DGMS enforces Mines Act.

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