Draft Metalliferous Mines Safety Regulations 2026 Issued for Public Feedback

Key Points:

• The Central Government has issued the draft Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Metalliferous Mines) Regulations, 2026, for public feedback, which applies to all mines except coal or oil mines.
• The draft regulations establish a Board of Mining Examination and set qualifications for inspectors, alongside requirements for safety management plans and proper maintenance of mine records.
• These regulations aim to enhance safety standards in metalliferous mining operations, reflecting a significant step towards improved occupational health and safety in the mining sector.

Background: The draft regulations are issued under Section 136 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH&WC Code), which empowers the Central Government to create regulations related to mining safety. This initiative involves various stakeholders including mine owners, managers, and government inspectors.

What's Next: Public feedback on the draft regulations is invited within 45 days from its publication date, after which the government will consider these inputs before finalizing the regulations.