Introduction
Production management in mines is about planning, organizing, and controlling mining operations to achieve safe and efficient output. It focuses on work study, time norms, manpower utilization, and productivity improvement. DGMS includes this topic under the Management syllabus because efficiency and safety go hand in hand in mining.

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📌 What is Production Management in Mines? (H2)

• Systematic control of mining operations to meet output, cost, and safety targets.
• Ensures optimum utilization of HEMM, manpower, explosives, and energy.
• Involves short-term (shift), medium-term (monthly), and long-term (annual) planning.

Mining Example: A mine sets a target of 10,000 tonnes/day → production manager ensures drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling align to meet the goal without safety violations.

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🔍 Work Study Techniques (H2) Work study 
 systematic examination of work methods to improve efficiency. It has two branches:

1. Method Study
   • Finding the “best way” of doing a job.
   • Involves recording, analyzing, and redesigning work.
   • Example: Using shuttle cars vs. belt conveyors in underground coal mines.
2. Work Measurement (Time Study)
   • Establishing time standards for tasks.
   • Involves stopwatch study, predetermined time systems.
   • Example: Time taken for a dumper cycle (loading → hauling → dumping → return).

Steps in Work Study:

• Select the job → Record data → Examine critically → Develop new method → Install → Maintain.

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⏱ Time Norms & Productivity (H2)

• Time norms are standard times required for a specific mining task.
• Basis for:
  • Shift schedules
  • Target setting
  • Wage incentive schemes
• Measured in units like minutes per tonne or tonnes per man-shift (TMS).

Productivity Metrics in Mining:

• Tonnes per Man Shift (TMS).
• Tonnes per Machine Hour (TMH).
• Output per unit of explosive.

Mining Example:

• Dumper haul cycle = 20 minutes → With 3 cycles/hour, one dumper handles ~60 tonnes/hour → forms basis of time norm.

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📑 DGMS Exam Relevance (H3)

• Appears under Management – MMLGS syllabus.
• Questions usually test:
  • Definitions of work study, time study.
  • Application of time norms in mines.
  • Productivity indices (TMS, TMH).
• Oral exam tip: “How do you calculate TMS in your mine?” → Answer with formula + practical data.

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📝 Quick One-Liners

• Production management = controlling output, cost & safety.
• Work study = method study + work measurement.
• Method study = finding best way of working.
• Time study = stopwatch-based time norms.
• Productivity indices: TMS, TMH, output per explosive.
• DGMS exam = focus on definitions + mining examples.

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✍️ Descriptive Model Answer
Q: Explain production management in mines with reference to work study and time norms.
Answer: Production management ensures mining operations are carried out efficiently and safely to achieve output targets. It involves work study and time norms:

• Work study → systematic analysis of job methods (method study + time study).
• Method study → find the best way to perform mining tasks (e.g., dumper vs. conveyor).
• Time study → establish time standards using stopwatch for repetitive tasks.
• Time norms → set shift targets, incentive wages, productivity measures (TMS, TMH).

Conclusion: Work study and time norms help improve productivity, reduce costs, and maintain safety, which is why they are emphasized in DGMS exams.

🎯 MCQs – Production Management in Mines
Q1 Production management in mines mainly deals with:
A. Finance
B. Cost & safety of mining operations
C. Office management
D. Geological exploration
E. DGMS inspections
Answer: B.
Solution: Production management = output, cost, and safety in mining.

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Q2 Work study includes:
A. Time study only
B. Method study only
C. Both method & time study
D. Financial study
E. Geological study
Answer: C.
Solution: Work study = method study + time study.

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Q3 Time study is carried out with:
A. Altimeter
B. Stopwatch
C. Tachometer
D. Theodolite
E. Barometer
Answer: B.
Solution: Stopwatch is the primary tool for time study.

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Q4 Productivity index in mines is measured as:
A. Tonnes per man shift (TMS)
B. Tonnes per hectare
C. Safety factor
D. Cost of coal
E. Capital budget
Answer: A.
Solution: TMS is the key productivity metric in mines.

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Q5 A dumper completes 3 cycles/hour carrying 20 tonnes. Productivity =
A. 40 t/hr
B. 50 t/hr
C. 60 t/hr
D. 80 t/hr
E. 100 t/hr
Answer: C.
Solution: 20 × 3 = 60 tonnes/hour.

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Q6 First step in work study is:
A. Install new method
B. Select the job
C. Maintain records
D. Incentives
E. Safety audit
Answer: B.
Solution: Work study starts with job selection.

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Q7 Incentive wage schemes depend on:
A. Time norms
B. Finance approval
C. Safety violations
D. Coal grade
E. Labour unions
Answer: A.
Solution: Time norms provide basis for incentives.

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Q8 Method study is concerned with:
A. Best way of doing a job
B. Survey work
C. Wages calculation
D. Ventilation
E. Legislation
Answer: A.
Solution: Method study finds the most efficient method.

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Q9 TMH stands for:
A. Tonnes per man-hour
B. Tonnes per machine hour
C. Time-managed hours
D. Technical mining hours
E. Total mine haulage
Answer: B.
Solution: TMH = tonnes handled per machine hour.

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Q10 Time norms are usually expressed in:
A. Tonnes per hectare
B. Minutes per tonne
C. Rupees per tonne
D. Meters per shift
E. Kilowatts per tonne
Answer: B.
Solution: Time norms = minutes required per tonne.

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Q11 Work measurement is also called:
A. Incentive study
B. Time study
C. Safety study
D. Job evaluation
E. Ventilation study
Answer: B.
Solution: Work measurement = time study.

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Q12 Main purpose of method study:
A. Reduce costs & improve efficiency
B. Increase manpower
C. Avoid safety measures
D. Improve ventilation
E. Geological exploration
Answer: A.
Solution: Method study reduces cost, increases efficiency.

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Q13 TMS means:
A. Tonnes per man shift
B. Tonnes per month shift
C. Tonnes per meter shaft
D. Total mine strength
E. Time measured shift
Answer: A.
Solution: TMS = tonnes produced per man per shift.

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Q14 A shovel loads 300 tonnes/shift using 5 workers. TMS =
A. 40
B. 50
C. 60
D. 75
E. 100
Answer: B.
Solution: 300 ÷ 5 = 60 tonnes/man-shift.

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Q15 Productivity is increased by:
A. Increasing idle time
B. Reducing delays and improving method
C. Increasing absenteeism
D. Ignoring time norms
E. Reducing supervision
Answer: B.
Solution: Productivity rises when delays are cut.

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Q16 Work sampling technique is used for:
A. Measuring equipment efficiency
B. Geological surveys
C. Roof support design
D. Explosives storage
E. Mine mapping
Answer: A.
Solution: Work sampling studies equipment utilization.

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Q17 Break-even analysis relates production to:
A. Safety standards
B. Cost & revenue
C. Geological reserves
D. Ventilation
E. Manpower
Answer: B.
Solution: Break-even = cost vs revenue balance.

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Q18 A mine produces 5000 t/day with 1000 workers. TMS =
A. 2.5
B. 5
C. 10
D. 15
E. 20
Answer: B.
Solution: 5000 ÷ 1000 = 5 tonnes per man-shift.

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Q19 Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS) is part of:
A. Geological survey
B. Time study
C. Blasting design
D. Ventilation
E. Manpower selection
Answer: B.
Solution: PMTS = advanced time study method.

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Q20 Standard time in time study =
A. Normal time + allowances
B. Normal time only
C. Allowances only
D. Maximum cycle time
E. Average cycle time
Answer: A.
Solution: Standard = normal + relaxation allowances.

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Q21 Which factor reduces productivity most?
A. Idle time & delays
B. Proper method study
C. Effective time norms
D. Safety compliance
E. Adequate supervision
Answer: A.
Solution: Idle time & delays cut productivity.

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Q22 Ergonomics in production management ensures:
A. Worker comfort & efficiency
B. Lower wages
C. No supervision
D. Unsafe practices
E. Reduced ventilation
Answer: A.
Solution: Ergonomics improves comfort + efficiency.

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Q23 Main tool for measuring dumper haul cycle:
A. Barometer
B. Stopwatch
C. Anemometer
D. Compass
E. Altimeter
Answer: B.
Solution: Stopwatch measures haul cycle time.

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Q24 Which of these is NOT a productivity index?
A. TMS
B. TMH
C. Output per explosive
D. Roof support density
E. Tonnes per shift
Answer: D.
Solution: Roof support density is not a productivity index.

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Q25 The main objective of production management in mines is:
A. Maximize output with safety and cost control
B. Increase geological reserves
C. Increase paperwork
D. Reduce DGMS supervision
E. Maximize wages without work
Answer: A.
Solution: Production management balances output, safety, and cost.