India's Coal India Limited (CIL) is significantly modernizing underground and open-cast coal mining operations by adopting advanced digital interventions such as IoT, AI, and data analytics. This shift aims to reduce hazard exposure, improve recovery rates, and enable predictive maintenance.
Coal mining continues to play a pivotal role in India’s energy security and industrial growth. CIL has initiated a strategic move towards modernizing both underground (UG) and open-cast (OC) operations to enhance their efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The company is transitioning from conventional mining technology and methods to more advanced tools and practices.
Advanced digital interventions like IoT, AI, and data analytics are being implemented by CIL to reduce hazard exposure, improve recovery rates, and enable predictive maintenance, smart control rooms, automated dispatch, and ‘Smart Mines’.
The resources detection process includes invasive (core drilling) and non-invasive 2D/3D seismic surveys, reducing boreholes by up to 50%. Spectral Enhancement (SPE) assaying is also used for sharp improvement in determination efficiency. Machine-learning techniques such as SVM, Decision Tree, Random Forest, MLP, XGBoost are employed for interpreting banded coal seams from Gamma-ray, Density and Resistivity logs.
CMPDI applies remote sensing, GIS, LiDAR, drones, and bathymetric surveys across pre-, syn- and post-mining stages. CIL has signed an MoU with NRSC to develop an AI-powered satellite-based geo-spatial dashboard for mine monitoring and environmental auditing.
CIL is progressively deploying higher-capacity HEMM – 42 CuM shovels, 240 te dumpers, draglines, and surface miners for blast-free mining. This technology minimizes dust, noise, and vibration while improving product quality and reducing coal loss. Electric detonators were phased out in 2024-25 in favor of ultra-safe electronic detonators.
AI-based safety features such as operator fatigue monitoring, proximity warning, 360° cameras, and automatic fire detection/suppression are being incorporated in major HEMM. These are supported by AI simulators and VR training. Digitalization through GPS-based truck dispatch/OITDS, payload monitoring (PLMS), and vehicle health monitoring (VHM) further improves utilization.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
