Public sector enterprise Coal India Limited (CIL), Jharkhand-based IIT-ISM (Indian School of Mines) and the mining technology hub TEXMiN have forged an alliance to establish IMiN (Innovation on Mining) Centre of Excellence at Dhanbad.

According to a statement issued by the Dhanbad-based IIT (ISM), this collaboration will focus on developing innovative technologies and research infrastructure in niche areas of national and international importance.

“The IMiN Center of Excellence aims to enhance mining productivity, safety, and sustainability by integrating advanced digital solutions and driving digital transformation in mining through CPS (cyber physical system)-based technologies,” the statement added.

The agreement was inked on Thursday aiming to revolutionise the Indian mining sector by leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

“As a result of this collaboration, CIL will enable IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and TEXMiN to establish the “IMiN–Innovation on Mining” Center of Excellence for Mining 4.0 at TEXMiN, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad. The centre will foster start-up ecosystems, capacity building, and advancing technology and process development. The primary goal will be to unlock the full potential of digital transformation in the mining and metals sector, steering it towards a more sustainable and efficient future,” said a spokesperson of IIT(ISM).

“The centre will also act as a catalyst in addressing the core challenges faced by the CIL. By integrating CPS-based technologies, IMiN will focus on modernising mining methods, thereby enhancing productivity, improving safety standards, and advancing the overall sustainability of mining operations,” the spokesperson added.

“IMiN would be a vital strategic asset to serve as the primary vehicle for managing complex change initiatives for implementing Mining 4.0 in the Indian mineral sector using CPS-based technologies with a vision to create a best practices hub for mine digitalisation of the entire mining value chain and adoption of latest digital technologies including the department of mines, mine operators, students, research community and start-ups,” said chairman-cum-managing director CIL P.M. Prasad who was present during the signing.

This collaboration marks a step towards the digital transformation of the mining sector.