Government plans to introduce new technologies to modernize coal mining operations
new Delhi:
The government aims to build digital infrastructure and introduce new technologies to help coal mine operations in the present and future. The move focuses on cutting down on dry fuel imports.
According to the government’s draft technology road map for the coal sector, “it aims to implement new technologies and build digital infrastructure to support current and future ramp-ups for mines.”
The roadmap also includes multi-speed backbone information technology and infrastructure systems that allow rapid deployment of new technologies.
“Building such a system would require access to a new-age ecosystem (such as start-ups, established vendors and research institutes among others). Technological change would also create a new culture in the organization.”
To reduce dependence on imports, it is important for Coal India Limited (CIL) to reach the one billion tonne target, thereby starting the technological transformation journey.
New technologies can have many impacts on mining operations, including safety and productivity, environmental protection and opportunities for women.
The roadmap further states that safer working conditions are achieved by integrating technology into mining projects through improved underground communications, automation, more sophisticated mineral and metal transport and emergency response measures.
“The scope of this road map is technology enablement in coal mines for transformation in the business value chain, enhancing performance in coal mines and leveraging ‘digital technology’ as an accelerator to enhance productivity, safety and sustainability and improve the environment. aims to increase productivity, safety and sustainability while reducing impact by upgrading traditional technologies to newer technologies,” the plan summed up.
India has total coal reserves of 344.02 billion tonnes. Commercial primary energy consumption in India has increased to 700 per cent in the last four decades. The major factors driving the increase in demand for energy are expansion of economy, growing population and improvement in quality of life.
However, due to high demand and poor average quality, the country has to import high quality coal mainly to meet the requirements of its steel plants, cement plants and sponge iron plants.
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