<h1>Explosion at open-cast coal mine injures three during pre-blast work; employer probes possible technical fault and safety lapses</h1> At an open-cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh, an explosion during pre-blast preparations injured three workers, including two women, after explosives were laid and the blasting team was returning to a safe zone; injured workers were treated at the company's regional hospital and expected to be discharged. The employer, a central public sector coal company, reports a preliminary technical error may have caused the detonation and has initiated an investigation. The incident raises potential regulatory and occupational safety issues, including compliance with explosive-handling protocols, training, equipment maintenance and possible administrative or criminal inquiries pending the probe.