Bhubaneswar: The Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI) held its 3rd All India Council Meeting in Bhubaneswar on 23-24 April 2022. Following the Council meeting, today a National Seminar on “Technology and Digital Advancements in Mining and Mineral Beneficiation” was organized which witnessed good attendance and deliberations from government and industry stakeholders on recent advancements in mining and beneficiation. mineral processing.

The seminar was opened by the guest of honor for the occasion Prafulla Mallik, Minister of Steel and Mines and Public Works, Government of Odisha, in the august presence of Debidutta Biswal, Director of Mines, Government of Odisha, K Madhusudhana, National Chairman, MEAI, DB Sundara Ramam, VP-III, MEAI and VP Commodities, Tata Steel, Pankaj Satija, Chairman, Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter, MEAI and Managing Director , Tata Steel Mining and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Mallik said: “It is imperative to harness technology to make mining safer and more efficient, cutting-edge exploration technology using computer vision and sensing , to predictive monitoring systems that improve worker safety through the Internet of Things, AI and machine learning, to more efficient ways to extract value from increasingly poor deposits” .

Addressing the conference, Debidutta Biswal, Director of Mines, Government of Odisha, said there was a need for a well-developed mining and mineral beneficiation industry in India as it provides important raw materials to many industries that are the backbone of economic development. The government of Odisha has embraced and adapted the changing technologies in the mining sector and introduced revolutionary systems like I3MS in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, K Madhusudhana said, “MEAI will strive to act as a bridge between business, mining fraternity and government, both state and centre. Capacity building will be MEAI’s main agenda in the future”.

Sundara Ramam said, “The importance of introducing technology into mining has gained paramount importance over the years to improve safety, environment and production. The topic chosen for the conference is very fitting as it will showcase the mining fraternity with the latest digital and technological developments in the field of mining.”

Satija said, “The reason for the boom of the mining industry in Odisha is due to the progressive policies and efforts to sustain the industry by the government of Odisha.” With the increasing use of minerals in several existing and emerging applications coupled with new technologies, we can expect a paradigm shift that can change the way minerals will be produced and consumed in the future, he added. .

The event had the participation of the main stakeholders of the sector among policy makers, government officials, mining companies, MEAI fraternity from different states, among others.

The conference explored effective decision-making through broader technological and economic disruptions caused by rapid and disruptive digital innovations in the mining industry, assessed the impact of different digital initiatives within the sector and quantified the value that ‘they could create for industry and society at large, highlight the digital innovations which, over the next decade, have the greatest potential to create value for the mining and metals industry, its customers and society in general, etc.

On April 23, deliberations were held on various issues regarding the Indian Association of Mining Engineers and the way forward for the new fiscal year.