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Past Questions — 2022
As per the Mineral Concession Rules 1960, the Reconnaissance Permit to be executed within __________ months of the date of the communication of the order:
A)
12
B)
9
C)
3
D)
6
According to the Mineral Concession (MC) Rules, 1960, specifically under the provisions governing the grant of Reconnaissance Permits (RP), the permit must be executed within a specified timeframe after the order of grant has been communicated to the applicant. The rule stipulates that the Reconnaissance Permit shall be executed within 6 months from the date of the communication of the order. If the permit is not executed within this period, the grant may be liable for cancellation. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Options (a) 12, (b) 9, and (c) 3 are incorrect as they do not align with the statutory timeline prescribed in the MC Rules 1960 for the execution of an RP.
Choose the correct one:
A)
The hindered-settling ratio is always equal to the free-settling ratio
B)
The hindered-settling ratio is always less than the free-settling ratio
C)
The hindered-settling ratio is always greater than the free-settling ratio
D)
None of the above
In mineral processing and fluid mechanics, settling refers to the movement of particles through a fluid under gravity.
1. **Free Settling**: This occurs when the concentration of particles in the fluid is very low. Each particle settles independently without interacting with other particles. The settling velocity is determined by the balance of gravitational, buoyancy, and drag forces (governed by Stokes' Law for laminar flow).
2. **Hindered Settling**: This occurs when the concentration of particles is high. In this regime, particles are so close together that their velocity fields overlap. This leads to several effects:
- Increased effective viscosity of the suspension.
- Increased buoyancy because the particle 'sees' a fluid with a density equal to the average density of the suspension (fluid + particles).
- Upward displacement of fluid as particles settle, creating an opposing current.
3. **Settling Ratio**: The settling ratio is the ratio of the settling velocity of a particle in a suspension to the settling velocity of a single particle in a pure fluid. Because the factors mentioned above (increased viscosity and upward fluid flow) significantly increase the drag and resistance, the settling velocity in a hindered environment ($v_h$) is always lower than the free settling velocity ($v_f$).
Therefore, the ratio $v_h / v_f$ is always less than 1, making the hindered-settling ratio always less than the free-settling ratio.
Identify the department from which the workmen’s Inspector is not considered:
A)
Mining
B)
Civil
C)
Electrical
D)
Mechanical
In the context of mining safety and legislation (specifically under the Mines Act and associated regulations), the 'Workmen's Inspector' is a representative chosen from the workforce to assist in safety inspections. The technical requirements for mining operations primarily revolve around the extraction process, the machinery used, and the power systems. Therefore, inspectors are typically drawn from the core technical departments: Mining (for excavation and strata control), Mechanical (for haulage, winding, and machinery), and Electrical (for power supply and lighting). Civil engineering, while used in the construction of surface infrastructure, is not considered a primary technical department for the appointment of a specialized Workmen's Inspector focused on the operational safety of the mine workings.
Mines Act 1952 not to apply where it is in opencast working the number of persons employed on any does not exceed?
A)
20
B)
40
C)
50
D)
100
According to Section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952, the Act applies to all mines. However, there are specific exemptions regarding the application of the Act based on the nature of the mine and the number of employees. Specifically, the Act does not apply to a mine if it is an opencast working and the number of persons employed therein on any day does not exceed 50. If the number of employees exceeds 50 in an opencast working, the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952, become applicable. Therefore, the threshold for non-applicability in opencast workings is 50 persons.
The three major steps involved in mineral processing are:
A)
Extraction, processing and screening
B)
Exploration, extraction and comminution
C)
Crushing, grinding and floatation
D)
Mining, transportation and marketing
Mineral processing (also known as ore dressing or mineral beneficiation) refers to the process of separating valuable minerals from the waste rock (gangue) to produce a concentrate. The general sequence of mineral processing involves: 1. Comminution (Size Reduction), which consists of Crushing (primary/secondary) and Grinding (fine reduction to liberate the mineral grains). 2. Concentration (Separation), where methods like Floatation, Gravity Separation, or Magnetic Separation are used to isolate the valuable mineral. Option (c) lists three core technical steps of this process: Crushing and Grinding (the two stages of comminution) and Floatation (a primary concentration method).
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a): 'Extraction' is part of mining, not mineral processing.
- Option (b): 'Exploration' and 'Extraction' are pre-processing stages (Mining cycle).
- Option (d): 'Mining', 'Transportation', and 'Marketing' are part of the overall mining business cycle, not the technical process of mineral processing.
The lighter material from the top layer of a jig which continuously discharge from the jig box during jigging process is called:
A)
Jig hutch
B)
Jig flow
C)
Jig tails
D)
Jig bed
In the jigging process, mineral separation is based on the difference in density of the particles. The process involves the vertical pulsation of a water column through a bed of material. During this process, the bed stratifies: the heavier particles settle to the bottom (concentrates), and the lighter particles rise to the top layer. These lighter, unwanted materials are continuously washed over the weir or discharged from the top of the jig box; these are referred to as 'tails' or 'tailings' (Jig tails).
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Jig hutch: The hutch is the bottom compartment of the jig where the heavy concentrate is collected.
- b. Jig flow: This is a general term referring to the movement of water and material, not a specific name for the discharged waste material.
- d. Jig bed: The jig bed is the entire mass of stratified particles currently undergoing the jigging process, not the material being discharged.
Annual return of a mine preceding year shall be submitted on or before __________ of every year.
A)
1st February
B)
14th January
C)
30th April
D)
31st October
Under the Metalliferous Mines Regulations (MMR) and Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) in India, the owner, agent, or manager of a mine is required to submit an annual return for the preceding calendar year. According to the statutory requirements (specifically Regulation 10 of MMR 1961 and corresponding provisions in CMR), the annual return must be submitted to the Chief Inspector or the Regional Inspector on or before the 1st of February of every year. This return contains critical data regarding production, manpower, safety records, and other operational statistics of the mine for the previous year. Options b, c, and d are incorrect as they do not align with the statutory deadline prescribed in the mining regulations.
In Section 8 of The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the maximum period for which a mining lease may be granted shall not exceed __________ years.
A)
Thirty
B)
Twelve
C)
Twenty
D)
Five
According to Section 8 of The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which deals with the 'Period for which mining leases may be granted', it is explicitly stated that no mining lease shall be granted for a period exceeding thirty years. While the Act allows for the granting of leases for shorter durations, the statutory ceiling for the maximum period of a single lease grant is 30 years. Therefore, option (a) is correct, while options (b) Twelve, (c) Twenty, and (d) Five are incorrect as they do not represent the maximum legal limit prescribed under this specific section of the Act.
What is the term of imprisonment for the inspector disclosing secret information?
A)
1 year
B)
2 years
C)
3 years
D)
6 month
Under the Mines Act, 1952 (and associated regulations governing the conduct of inspectors), there are strict provisions regarding the confidentiality of information. Specifically, if an Inspector, while performing their duties, discloses any secret information or confidential data obtained during the course of their inspection (such as proprietary technical processes or trade secrets of the mine owner) to an unauthorized person, they are liable for penalties. According to the legal provisions governing the misconduct of inspectors in this specific context, the term of imprisonment for such a breach of confidentiality is up to 6 months, or a fine, or both. Options a, b, and c represent longer durations typically reserved for more severe criminal offenses or systemic safety violations, whereas the disclosure of secret information by an official is categorized under a specific penalty bracket of 6 months.
What should be the maximum plotting errors of a plan made on 1:2000 scale?
A)
10 cm
B)
50 cm
C)
25 cm
D)
5 cm
In mining surveying and statutory plan regulations (such as those outlined in the Coal Mines Regulations or Metalliferous Mines Regulations), the permissible plotting error is defined based on the scale of the map. For a plan drawn to a scale of 1:2000, the standard permissible plotting error is 0.025 mm on the map, which translates to the ground distance.
Calculation:
1. Scale = 1:2000
2. Permissible plotting error for this scale is typically 0.125 mm (or based on the standard of 1 part in 8000 of the scale for certain statutory plans, but the industry standard for 1:2000 is 0.125mm).
3. Ground distance = Map distance × Scale factor
4. Ground distance = 0.125 mm × 2000 = 250 mm = 25 cm.
Therefore, the maximum allowable plotting error for a 1:2000 scale plan is 25 cm.
According to CMR, 2017 every travelling roadway shall be not less than __________ high for the entire stretch.
A)
1.8 m
B)
1.2 m
C)
1.5 m
D)
0.5 m
According to the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR), 2017, specific standards are set for the dimensions of roadways to ensure the safety and ease of movement of personnel and equipment. Under the regulations pertaining to the maintenance and dimensions of roadways, it is mandated that every travelling roadway (a roadway used for the movement of persons or materials) must maintain a minimum height to prevent hazards and ensure ergonomic passage. The prescribed minimum height for the entire stretch of a travelling roadway is 1.8 meters. Options b (1.2 m), c (1.5 m), and d (0.5 m) are incorrect as they do not meet the statutory safety requirement defined in the CMR 2017 for travelling roadways.
Coal washing is accomplished by:
A)
Jigging
B)
Float flotation
C)
Heavy liquid separation
D)
None of the above
Coal washing (or coal cleaning) is the process of removing impurities (gangue) such as shale, clay, and sulfur from raw coal to increase its heating value and reduce ash content. This is primarily achieved through gravity separation because there is a significant difference in density between clean coal (approx. 1.3 to 1.5 g/cm³) and the mineral impurities (approx. 2.0 to 2.6 g/cm³).
1. Jigging (Option a): This is a classic gravity separation method where a bed of particles is pulsed vertically with water. The heavier impurities settle to the bottom while the lighter coal floats to the top. It is one of the most widely used industrial methods for coal washing.
2. Float Flotation (Option b): This is a physico-chemical separation method based on surface hydrophobicity. While it can be used for very fine coal (coal slime), it is not the primary or general method for 'coal washing' in the context of bulk processing.
3. Heavy Liquid Separation (Option c): This is primarily a laboratory technique used to determine the ash content or the density distribution of a coal sample. It is not an industrial process for large-scale coal washing due to the cost and toxicity of the heavy liquids used.
Therefore, among the given options, Jigging is the standard industrial process for coal washing.
Which of the following is naturally floatable mineral?
A)
Coal
B)
Gypsum
C)
Talk
D)
Pyrite
In mineral processing, 'floatability' refers to the inherent ability of a mineral surface to attach to air bubbles and rise to the surface of a flotation cell without the need for chemical collectors. This is determined by the hydrophobicity (water-repelling nature) of the mineral surface.
1. **Coal (Option a):** Coal is composed primarily of carbon and organic matter, which are naturally hydrophobic. Therefore, coal is a naturally floatable mineral and can be recovered using 'natural flotation' or 'froth flotation' without the addition of collectors.
2. **Gypsum (Option b):** Gypsum is a hydrophilic (water-attracting) mineral. It requires specific chemical collectors to be made floatable.
3. **Talk (Talc) (Option c):** While Talc is also naturally hydrophobic due to its layered silicate structure, in the context of standard mineral processing examinations for mining/mineral processing, Coal is the primary example of a naturally floatable organic mineral. However, if the question allows for multiple, Talc is also hydrophobic; but Coal is the most definitive answer for general 'natural floatability' in this specific exam context.
4. **Pyrite (Option d):** Pyrite is a sulfide mineral. While it can be floated, it typically requires the addition of xanthates or other collectors to achieve efficient recovery; it is not considered 'naturally floatable' in the same sense as organic carbonaceous materials.
The ore obtain from run of mine (ROM) initially goes to:
A)
Primary crusher
B)
Secondary crusher
C)
Tertiary crusher
D)
None of the above
In mineral processing, 'Run of Mine' (ROM) refers to the raw ore as it comes directly from the mining face, containing a wide range of particle sizes, including very large boulders. The goal of the comminution circuit is to reduce this material to a size suitable for downstream processing (like grinding or flotation).
1. **Primary Crusher**: This is the first stage of size reduction. It is designed to handle the largest lumps of ROM ore and reduce them to a manageable size (typically < 200mm). Common examples include Jaw Crushers or Gyratory Crushers.
2. **Secondary Crusher**: This stage receives the product from the primary crusher. It further reduces the size of the material. It cannot handle ROM ore directly because the feed size would exceed the physical dimensions of the crusher opening.
3. **Tertiary Crusher**: This is a final stage of crushing (often using cone crushers) to produce a fine feed for the grinding mills. It requires an even smaller feed size than the secondary crusher.
Therefore, the ROM ore must always enter the primary crusher first to initiate the size reduction sequence.
In an explosive magazine, there are 8 explosives made of IEL Orica, 7 made of Solar Energies Limited and 6 made of Gulf Oil Corporation Limited. All the explosives are of same diameter, length, weight and colour. One explosive is picked up randomly. What is the probability that it is made of neither IEL Orica nor Gulf Oil Corporation Limited?
A)
2/3
B)
1/2
C)
1/3
D)
2/5
Step-by-step solution:
1. **Identify the total number of outcomes**: The total number of explosives in the magazine is the sum of explosives from all three companies.
Total = (IEL Orica) + (Solar Energies Limited) + (Gulf Oil Corporation Limited)
Total = 8 + 7 + 6 = 21 explosives.
2. **Identify the favorable outcomes**: The question asks for the probability that the picked explosive is 'neither IEL Orica nor Gulf Oil Corporation Limited'.
This means the explosive must be from the remaining company, which is Solar Energies Limited.
Number of favorable outcomes = 7 (Solar Energies Limited).
3. **Calculate the probability**: Probability (P) is defined as the number of favorable outcomes divided by the total number of outcomes.
P = (Number of Solar Energies Limited explosives) / (Total number of explosives)
P = 7 / 21
4. **Simplify the fraction**:
7 / 21 = 1 / 3.
Comparing this result to the options:
- Option a (2/3) is incorrect.
- Option b (1/2) is incorrect.
- Option c (1/3) is correct.
- Option d (2/5) is incorrect.
The probability that a hydraulic shovel randomly picked up from a production unit is defective is 0.1. The probability that out of 10 hydraulic shovels randomly picked up, 3 are defective is:
A)
0.001
B)
0.057
C)
0.106
D)
0.002
This problem follows a Binomial Distribution because there are a fixed number of independent trials (10 shovels), two possible outcomes (defective or not defective), and a constant probability of success (defective).
1. **Identify the parameters:**
- n (number of trials) = 10
- k (number of successes/defective shovels) = 3
- p (probability of success/defective) = 0.1
- q (probability of failure/not defective) = 1 - p = 0.9
2. **Apply the Binomial Probability Formula:**
P(X = k) = C(n, k) * (p^k) * (q^(n-k))
P(X = 3) = C(10, 3) * (0.1^3) * (0.9^(10-3))
3. **Calculate the components:**
- C(10, 3) = (10 * 9 * 8) / (3 * 2 * 1) = 120
- 0.1^3 = 0.001
- 0.9^7 ≈ 0.4782969
4. **Final Calculation:**
P(X = 3) = 120 * 0.001 * 0.4782969
P(X = 3) = 0.12 * 0.4782969
P(X = 3) ≈ 0.057395
Rounding to three decimal places, we get 0.057. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Appeal to Chief Inspector against order of Regional Inspector under CMR, 2017 can be made within __________ days.
A)
10
B)
20
C)
30
D)
15
Under the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR), 2017, specifically regarding the administrative and legal procedures for appeals against orders passed by a Regional Inspector, the statutory time limit for filing an appeal to the Chief Inspector is 30 days. This timeframe is standard for administrative appeals within the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) framework to ensure timely resolution of disputes or grievances regarding inspectorate orders. Therefore, option (c) is the correct legal timeframe.
As per MMR 1961, no winding rope shall be used in a shaft exceeding 1500 m in depth if its safety factor is less than:
A)
2
B)
3
C)
4
D)
5
According to the Metalliferous Mines Regulations (MMR) 1961, specifically under the regulations governing winding operations and the safety of winding ropes, there are prescribed minimum factors of safety based on the depth of the shaft. The factor of safety is the ratio of the breaking strength of the rope to the maximum static load it is expected to carry. For very deep shafts, the risk of rope failure increases due to the self-weight of the rope and dynamic stresses. For shafts exceeding 1500 meters in depth, the regulations mandate a higher safety factor to ensure structural integrity and personnel safety. In accordance with the standard safety tables provided in the MMR 1961 for winding ropes, the minimum factor of safety required for a shaft depth exceeding 1500 m is 5. Options a, b, and c represent safety factors applicable to shallower depths or different types of hoisting equipment, but they are insufficient for the extreme depth of 1500m+.
Sand not be treated as minor mineral when used for certain purposes as:
A)
Purpose of Refractory and manufacture of ceramic
B)
Optical purpose
C)
Purpose of stowing in coal mines
D)
All of the above
Under the regulatory framework of mining laws (specifically relating to the classification of minerals in India), 'Minor Minerals' are typically those defined under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. However, certain exemptions are made where sand is not treated as a 'minor mineral' for royalty or regulatory purposes when it is used for specific industrial or safety applications.
1. Refractory and Ceramic Manufacture: High-purity silica sand used in these industries is often treated as an industrial raw material rather than a common minor mineral.
2. Optical Purposes: Sand used for producing high-grade glass or optical components requires specific purity levels and is categorized differently from construction sand.
3. Stowing in Coal Mines: Sand used for 'stowing' (filling the void created by extracting coal to prevent surface subsidence) is treated as a safety/operational requirement of the mining process rather than a commercial mineral extraction activity.
Since all three scenarios involve specialized uses where sand is exempt from the standard 'minor mineral' classification for specific administrative or royalty purposes, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.
According to Oil mines Regulation 2017, the owner, agent and manager of a mine shall ensure that testing of blowout preventer assembly is conducted in accordance with the Oil Industry Safety Directorate Recommended Practices, that is:
A)
OISD-RP-174
B)
OISD-PR-160
C)
OISD-STD-115
D)
None of Above
Under the Oil Mines Regulations (OMR) 2017, specific safety standards for drilling and well control are mandated. The Blowout Preventer (BOP) is a critical safety device used to prevent the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons. The regulations specify that the testing and maintenance of the blowout preventer assembly must be carried out in accordance with the Recommended Practices (RP) issued by the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD). Specifically, OISD-RP-174 provides the guidelines and recommended practices for the 'Design, Installation and Maintenance of Blowout Preventers'. Therefore, option (a) is the correct technical reference. Option (b) is incorrect as 'PR' is not the standard prefix for these recommended practices in this context, and Option (c) refers to a different standard (STD) not specifically governing BOP testing in the manner prescribed by OMR 2017.
Information regarding Reportable injury shall be sent to Chief Inspector and Regional Inspector immediately when persons involved are equal to or more than:
A)
4
B)
5
C)
Irrespective of number of person
D)
Never sent
Under the Mines Act and the associated Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) or Metalliferous Mines Regulations (MMR), a 'Reportable Injury' is defined as any injury which prevents the affected person from reporting for duty for a period of more than 20 days (or any fatal accident). According to the statutory requirements for reporting accidents and injuries, the owner, agent, or manager is mandated to send notice of every reportable injury to the Chief Inspector and the Regional Inspector. The obligation to report a 'Reportable Injury' is triggered by the nature and severity of the injury itself (the duration of absence from work), not by the quantity of persons involved. While 'Serious Accidents' (which may involve multiple persons) have specific immediate reporting timelines, any single instance of a reportable injury must be notified regardless of whether one person or multiple persons are involved. Therefore, the reporting requirement exists irrespective of the number of persons.
According to regulation 119 of CMR 2017, No working shall be made within __________ from any railway or any public works/road.
A)
45 m
B)
30 m
C)
60 m
D)
100 m
According to Regulation 119 of the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) 2017, which deals with the protection of public works and railways, it is explicitly stated that no working shall be made within 30 meters from any railway or any public works/road. This safety buffer is mandated to prevent land subsidence, slope failure, or structural instability that could jeopardize public infrastructure and transportation networks.
- Option (a) 45 m is incorrect as it is not the prescribed limit in CMR 2017.
- Option (b) 30 m is the correct statutory limit as per Regulation 119.
- Option (c) 60 m is incorrect.
- Option (d) 100 m is incorrect.
How many years of practical experience of below ground mines is mandatory for getting appointment of Rescue Superintendent?
A)
10 years
B)
6 years
C)
15 years
D)
5 years
According to the Mines Rescue Rules (and the guidelines governing the appointment of rescue personnel in mining law), the qualification for the post of Rescue Superintendent requires a specific amount of practical experience in underground mining to ensure the safety and leadership of rescue teams during emergencies. The mandatory requirement for the appointment of a Rescue Superintendent is 5 years of practical experience in below-ground mines. This ensures that the individual has sufficient operational knowledge of mine environments, ventilation, and potential hazards before overseeing critical rescue operations. Options a, b, and c (10, 6, and 15 years) exceed the minimum statutory requirement set for this specific role.
According to Coal Mine Regulation 2017, “competent person” in relation to any work or any machinery, plant or equipment means a person who has attained the age of:
A)
18 Yrs
B)
20 Yrs.
C)
25 Yrs.
D)
None of the above
Under the Coal Mines Regulations (CMR) 2017, the term 'competent person' is defined based on the person's qualifications, experience, and the specific nature of the work or equipment involved, rather than a specific minimum age requirement. While general labor laws (like the Mines Act) specify minimum ages for employment (usually 18 years for underground work), the definition of a 'competent person' for the purpose of inspecting or certifying machinery, plants, or equipment focuses on professional competence, certification, and authorization by the Chief Inspector or the Central Government. Since the CMR 2017 does not stipulate a specific age (such as 18, 20, or 25) as the defining criterion for being a 'competent person', none of the provided age-based options are correct.
Who has the power to make rules and regulations?
A)
Committee
B)
Central Government
C)
Either of the above
D)
Chief Inspector
In the context of Mining Law (specifically the Mines Act, 1952), the power to make rules is vested in the Central Government. Under Section 56 of the Mines Act, 1952, the Central Government is empowered to make rules to carry out the purposes of the Act. While the Chief Inspector (Option d) has the authority to make 'Regulations' (under Section 57) for the purpose of regulating the management, control, working, plant, machinery, and supervision of mines, the overarching power to create 'Rules' (which have higher legal standing and are framed under the delegated legislation of the Parliament) resides with the Central Government. In most competitive examinations for Mining Law, when asked who has the general power to make rules and regulations (especially in a broad sense), the Central Government is the primary authority. However, it is important to note that 'Rules' are made by the Government and 'Regulations' are made by the Chief Inspector; since the question asks for the power to make rules and regulations collectively, the Central Government is the superior authority that enables the framework for both.
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