Coal Miners Day: 4 May

Coal Miners Day is celebrated every year on 4 May. The purpose of this day is to honor the hard work and contribution of coal miners.

History of Coal Miners Day

• On May 4, 1942, a massive explosion occurred in a coal mine in Kentucky, Illinois, United States. About 51 coal miners lost their lives in this accident. The accident highlighted the dangerous working conditions and risks faced by coal mine worker.
• In the year 1950, May 4 was celebrated as Coal Miner’s Day for the first time in the United States.
• Coal mining in India started in the year 1774.
• The highly coal rich producing countries are Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and some central parts of the country.
• The first coal mining started in Raniganj Coalfields which is situated on the banks of Damodar River.

Importance of Coal Miners Day

• Honoring the contribution of coal miners: This day honors the contribution of coal miners who have worked hard to ensure the energy supply. It acknowledges their sacrifices and sacrifices.
• Highlighting hazardous working conditions: Coal mining is an extremely hazardous occupation. The day highlights the dangerous conditions and challenges that exist in this industry.
• Emphasis on safety measures: One of the major objectives of this day is to focus on the safety and health of coal miners. This emphasizes the need for better safety standards and equipment in mines.
• Welfare Steps: Coal Miners’ Day provides an opportunity for miners to demand better welfare schemes and wages.
• Discussing environmental concerns: Coal is a major driver of climate change. Climate change and environmental protection are also discussed on this day.
• Unification of Mining Community: This day brings together coal miners from all over the world and provides an opportunity to discuss their problems and interests.

About coal

• Coal is an unrefined fossil fuel made from the remains of ancient plants.
• Coal is formed by the expansion of wood remains and other plant matter under pressure and temperature. This is a long-term process that takes about 300 million years.
• There are four main types of coal – anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous and lignite.
• Anthracite is the coal with the highest calorific value and the highest quality.
• Coal is mainly used to produce energy in power plants. It is also used in steel industry and other industries.
• India, China, US, Australia and Russia have the world’s largest coal reserves.
• Burning of coal is a major cause of air and water pollution. It also emits greenhouse gases which causes climate change.

Production in india

• The highest coal production in India occurs in the state of Jharkhand.
• The quantity of coal reserves in Jharkhand is about 80,716 million tonnes, which is about 26% of the total coal reserves of the country.
• Jharkhand has two major coal fields – Dhanbad and Bokaro.
• Dhanbad coal field is the largest and important coal field of India. About 45 million tonnes of coal is produced from here every year.
• Bokaro coal field is also a major coal producing area in Jharkhand, producing about 30 million tonnes of coal annually.

FAQs

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