ABSTRACT
The emergence of scientific mining in India owed its origins to the study of earth sciences in Europe and its subsequent institutionalization. The labours of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries provided the basis for the growth of the geological sciences in Europe. Primarily, a preserve of the government, investigations on mining underwent considerable transformation in Europe, especially in Britain between the mid-seventeenth centuries and early nineteenth centuries. Mining served as a powerful incentive for governmental investment in science and technology. Scientific Miners also received recognition in the eighteenth century. Trained technocrats were visible with the growth of academic institutions and scientific mining was subjected to governmental supervision. However, governmental intervention further amplified competition in the area and scientific mining was relegated to the background. Soon, acquiring mining leases became widespread triggered by international market demand. This initiated the extensive exploitation of mines. Overexploitation of mines had its consequent ecological impact inducing Scientific Miners to advocate conservation measures. To implement it, the creation of periodic Working Plans for individual collieries was proposed. The success of such measures was in the end heavily dependent upon the compliance of various sections concerned. Profligate methods practised elicited the debate that veered around nationalization and rationalization and reiterated certain vexed issues.
