Rule 107 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 107 says no mine shall be opened, re-opened or worked unless it has a duly appointed manager with the qualification the rule's table requires for that type of mine and its average output or average material handled. The table sets first and second class manager's certificates for coal and metal mines and a degree-and-experience test for oil mines.
Rule 107: no mine shall be opened, re-opened or worked unless it has a duly appointed manager with the qualification in the table. Below ground coal mines above 2,500 tonnes average output need a First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal); below ground metalliferous mines above 1,250 tonnes need a First Class (Metal). Opencast mines are split at 20,000 cubic metres of material handled. Oil mines need an engineering degree or diploma or a postgraduate degree in a listed science, plus fifteen years (diploma) or ten years (other) experience.
The Code provision behind the rule
Section 67(1) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code) says that, save as otherwise prescribed, every mine shall be under a sole manager with such qualifications as the Central Government prescribes, and the owner or agent shall appoint a person with those qualifications. The proviso lets the owner or agent appoint himself if he has the prescribed qualifications. Section 67(2) makes the manager responsible for overall management, control, supervision and direction of the mine, subject to the owner's or agent's instructions, which must be confirmed in writing forthwith. Section 67(3) bars the owner or agent from giving, except in an emergency and except through the manager, instructions affecting the fulfilment of statutory duties to a person who is responsible to the manager. See our sections 67 and 68 explainer and the guide to mine safety provisions and DGMS.
The Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government; where the State Government is, its own rules apply. For a mine-by-mine view of your obligations, a labour law compliance review is a sensible first step.
The rule in two parts
Rule 107 has an opening requirement and a table.
Opening requirement. "No mine shall be opened, re-opened or worked unless it has a duly appointed manager, who has the following qualifications specified in the Table." The three verbs matter: the manager must be in place before the mine opens, before it re-opens and while it is worked.
The Table. Qualification depends on the type of mine and on its "average output" or "average material handled".
| Type of mine | Average output or material handled | Essential qualification of the manager |
|---|---|---|
| Below ground coal mines | (a) average output in excess of 2,500 tonnes | First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal) |
| (b) average output not exceeding 2,500 tonnes | First Class Manager's Certificate (Coal) or Second Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal) | |
| Open cast coal mines | (a) average material handled in excess of 20,000 cubic metre | First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal) or a First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency restricted to mines having open cast workings only (Coal) |
| (b) average material handled not exceeding 20,000 cubic metre | The above, or a Second Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal), or a Second Class certificate restricted to mines having opencast in coal | |
| Below ground metalliferous mines | (a) average output in excess of 1,250 tonnes | First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Metal) |
| (b) average output not exceeding 1,250 tonnes | First Class (Metal) or Second Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Metal) | |
| Opencast metalliferous mines | (a) average material handled in excess of 20,000 cubic metre | First Class (Metal) or First Class restricted to open cast workings only (Metal) |
| (b) average material handled not exceeding 20,000 cubic metre | First Class (Metal), or First Class restricted to open cast only (Metal), or Second Class (Metal), or Second Class restricted to open cast only (Metal) | |
| Mine having both open cast and underground workings | All coal and metal mines | First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal or Metal as the case may be) |
| Oil mines | All oil mines | A degree or diploma in engineering, or post-graduation in physics, geophysics, geology or chemistry, from an educational institution recognised by the Central or State Government, and experience in management and supervision of operations in oil mines for not less than fifteen years in case of a diploma in engineering and ten years in other cases |
How "average output" and "average material handled" are measured
The Explanation under the table defines both:
- Average output of a mine: the average output per month during the preceding calendar year of the total output from all workings within the specified mine boundaries.
- Average material handled of a mine: the average material (mineral and overburden material) handled per month during the preceding calendar year of the total material handled from all workings within the specified mine boundaries.
So the thresholds of 2,500 tonnes, 1,250 tonnes and 20,000 cubic metres are monthly averages for the preceding calendar year, across all workings within the mine boundaries. A mine's category can change from one year to the next as the average changes.
Points to note
- Certificates of competency. The table names the certificates (First Class, Second Class, restricted-to-opencast versions). The text of rule 107 does not say who issues them, how they are earned or how long they last. The text is silent on those points.
- New mines. For a mine that has not yet started, the table's "average" test depends on the preceding calendar year. The rule does not say how to classify a new mine; take advice before opening.
- Owner as manager. Section 67(1)'s proviso lets the owner or agent be the manager if he holds the prescribed qualifications. Rule 107 is the prescription.
- Sole manager. Section 67(1) says "sole manager" for each mine. Rule 107 uses "a duly appointed manager".
- Oil mines. There is no certificate of competency. The test is the degree or diploma plus years of experience in management and supervision of oil mine operations, so an experience record must be maintained.
- Consequences. Working a mine without a qualified manager contravenes the Code and the rules. The penalty provisions of the Code apply; see our section 94 explainer. Rule 107 itself states no penalty.
Practical examples
Example 1. A below ground coal mine's average monthly output in the preceding calendar year was 2,800 tonnes. It must have a manager holding a First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal).
Example 2. An opencast metalliferous mine handled an average of 15,000 cubic metres a month, mineral and overburden together, last year. Its manager may hold a First Class (Metal), a First Class restricted to opencast (Metal), a Second Class (Metal) or a Second Class restricted to opencast (Metal).
Example 3. An oil mine proposes a manager with a diploma in engineering and twelve years of experience in managing and supervising oil mine operations. A diploma holder needs not less than fifteen years, so the appointment does not meet rule 107.
Example 4. A mine has both opencast and underground workings. It needs a First Class Manager's Certificate of Competency (Coal or Metal as the case may be), regardless of output.
Compliance checklist
- Compute average output and average material handled per month for the preceding calendar year, across all workings.
- Match the mine type and threshold to the table.
- Check the manager's certificate class and type (Coal or Metal; restricted or not).
- For oil mines, keep the degree and experience records.
- Confirm the appointment is in place before opening, re-opening or working the mine.
Need help with mine manager appointments?
Matching a mine's output to the right certificate, and keeping the appointment file ready for inspection, is detail work. Our team can help you review your mine's category and appointment records. Start with our labour law compliance service.
Key takeaways
- No mine may be opened, re-opened or worked without a duly appointed, qualified manager.
- The required certificate depends on mine type and on average output or material handled.
- Thresholds: 2,500 tonnes (below ground coal), 1,250 tonnes (below ground metalliferous), 20,000 cubic metres (opencast).
- Mines with both opencast and underground workings need a First Class certificate.
- Oil mines need a degree or diploma plus fifteen or ten years of experience.
- Averages are monthly, for the preceding calendar year, across all workings.
Read next
- Sections 67 and 68 of the OSH Code: mine manager and Code not applying to certain mines
- Rule 108: Code not to apply in certain mines
- Rules 105 and 106: audio-visual worker agreement and reference of disputes
- Mines Act: safety provisions and DGMS framework
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.