Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 - Directorate General of ...

(2) Suitable arrangements shall be made for persons to descend and ascend by each of such shafts or
outlets. Where the shaft is vertical and more than 60 metres in depth, such arrangements shall be by means
of a proper winding engine.. Every such winding engine shall be to installed and maintained as to be
constantly available for use. In any doubt arises to whether any such arrangement is suitable or not, it shall
be referred to the Chief Inspector for decision :
Provided that, if required by the Regional Inspector by an order in writing a proper winding engine
shall be provided in a shaft more than 60 metres in depth even if it is not vertical.
(3) Such shafts, inclines or outlets shall not be less than 15 metres distant from one another at any point,
and each shall be connected with the other by means of a walkable passage, not less than 1.8 metres
high 1.5 metres wide, through the workings belowground that are being served by such shafts or
outlets :
Provided that outlets made before the coming into force of these regulations may be closer than 15
metres but not less than 6 metres apart.
(4) Whenever the connection between two outlets which are required to be maintained under sub-regulation
(1) has been obstructed or found dangerous, only such persons as are necessary to clear the obstruction or
to repair the dangerous part of the connection or to make a new second outlet, as the case may be, shall be
employed belowground until such time as the connection has been re-established or a new second outlet
has been provided.
(5) The foregoing provisions of this regulation with respect to shafts and outlets shall not apply -
(a) to a shaft which is being sunk or to an incline or outlet which is being made;
(b) to any working for the purpose of making a connection between two or more shafts or outlets; and
(c) to any working for the sole purpose of searching for or proving minerals;
so long as not more than 20 persons are employed belowground at any one time in the whole of the
different seams in connection with a single shaft or outlet:
Provided that if the single outlet is an un-walkable shaft (other than a shaft in the course of being sunk) and
exceeds 30 metres in depth, it shall be provided both with ladders and with other means of raising an
lowering persons :
Provided further that nothing in this sub-regulation shall be deemed to authorise the driving of roadways
for the development purposes before a second outlet has been made in accordance with the said provisions.
(6) The Chief Inspector may, by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify,
exempt from the operation of this regulation any mine in the case of which special difficulties exist
which in his opinion make compliance with the provisions thereof not reasonably practicable.
69. Working shafts and winzes – (1) Every shaft in use or in course of being sunk and every other outlet
shall be made and kept secure.
(2) Every shaft (and every winze or raise intended to be used for purposes of winding or haulage) in the
course of being sank shall be provided with a permanent lining of metal, concrete or masonry, which shall
at no time be more than six metres from the bottom of the shaft or winze:
Provided that where iron or steel rings with a substantial lagging are used below the permanent lagging and
are kept close to the bottom of the shaft, this distance may be increased to not more than 20 metres:
If any doubt arises as to whether the strata are stable or not, it shall b referred to the Chief Inspector for
decision.