Accident Investigation and Trend Analysis of Indian Coal Mines: A 20-Year Review (2006–2025)

Coal mining remains one of the most hazardous industrial sectors worldwide, particularly in developing economies such as India, where increasing energy demand continues to drive coal production. This study presents a comprehensive investigation and trend analysis of accidents in Indian coal mines over a twenty-year period from 2006 to 2025. The research utilizes secondary data collected from Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) reports, Ministry of Coal publications, and peer-reviewed scientific literature. The study evaluates trends in fatal accidents, fatalities, serious injuries, accident severity, and causative factors associated with both underground and opencast mining operations. The findings indicate a substantial decline in fatal accidents and fatalities during the study period, reflecting improvements in mechanization, regulatory enforcement, safety training, and adoption of advanced mining technologies. Fatal accidents declined from 78 cases in 2006 to 21 cases in 2025, while fatalities decreased from 137 to 24 during the same period. Serious injuries and non-fatal accidents also demonstrated considerable reductions. However, despite these improvements, mining accidents continue to pose significant challenges due to persistent hazards such as roof falls, machinery failures, human error, inadequate supervision, gas explosions, and geotechnical instabilities. The study further reveals a transition in accident patterns from traditional underground hazards toward mechanization-related accidents in opencast mines. While accident frequency has reduced considerably, accident severity remains a concern in recent years. The paper emphasizes the importance of predictive safety management, artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and stronger organizational safety culture to achieve sustainable my safety. The research provides practical recommendations for policymakers, mining engineers, researchers, and safety professionals for improving occupational health and safety in the Indian coal mining sector.