Govt plans new tech, digital infrastructure to support domestic coal mines operations

The government aims to build digital infrastructure and introduce new technologies to support current and future coal mining operations. The move focuses on reducing imports of solid fuels.

“Our aim is to implement new technologies and build digital infrastructure to support current and future mine production increases,” said the government’s draft coal industry technology roadmap.

The roadmap also includes multi-speed backbone information technology and infrastructure systems that enable rapid deployment of new technologies.

“Creating such a system requires access to new-age ecosystems (e.g. start-ups, established suppliers and research institutes, etc.). Technological change will also create a new culture in the organization,” it said.

To reduce its reliance on imports, Coal India Limited (CIL) must hit the 1 billion ton target to begin a technological transformation journey, it said.

New technologies can have a range of impacts on mining operations, including safety and productivity, environmental protection and opportunities for women.

The roadmap goes on to say that safer working conditions will be achieved through the integration of technology into mining projects through improved underground communications, automation, more sophisticated mineral and metal transport, and emergency response.

“The scope of this roadmap is technology enablement for coal mines to transform the entire enterprise value chain, using ‘digital technologies’ as accelerators to demonstrate how coal mines can improve performance and increase productivity, safety and sustainability, while reducing the impact of traditional energy sources on Emissions impact on the environment. “Technology shifts to new technologies,” the program concludes.

India’s total coal reserves are 344.02 billion tons. Over the past 40 years, India’s commercial primary energy consumption has increased to 700%. The basic factors behind the increase in energy demand are the expansion of the economy, the increase of the population and the improvement of the quality of life.

However, due to high demand and poor average quality, the country has to import higher quality coal, mainly to meet the needs of its steel, cement and sponge iron plants, among others.

Complete News Source : Construction Week