Coal Companies always strive to adopt best mining practices and technology for coal mining and they have taken following steps for improvement in the quality of coal mining –

 

(i) The technologies used in Opencast Coal Mining are modern and coal companies are keeping pace with the technological advancement.

 

(ii) Deployment of High capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machineries (HEMMs) like 42 cum Shovel with 240 T Rear Dumper.

 

(iii) Surface Miners are being adopted in big way to eliminate the need of hazardous blasting for coal extraction, customer satisfaction and to cater to environmental needs.

 

(iv) First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects - Coal transportation through in-pit crushing and conveying system/surface belt conveyor of all the future and existing mines.

 

(v) 3D terrestrial laser scanner for greater accuracy in Over Burden (OB) measurement.

 

(vi) Introduction of drone/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for improved mine mapping and monitoring – land reclamation, fire mapping, mine closure monitoring.

 

(vii) Several other technological interventions have also been made to increase work efficiency and mitigate the risk of accidents, e.g. Slope monitoring technologies, technology such as collision avoidance system in dumpers, proximity warning system, Operator independent Truck dispatch system (OITDS) etc.

 

(viii) Automated Mist based Water sprinkling system for dust suppression is being deployed.

Coal Companies have been taking assistance from International Agencies/companies for guiding and monitoring adoption of best mining practices and technology for coal mining.

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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MV/AKN/RKP

(Release ID: 1810547)