Lok Sabha Question No. 227 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Modernization of Coal Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## *227.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *227

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## Modernization of Coal Sector

## Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant:

Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne :

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  adopted  new  technologies  in  mining  operations  for modernization of coal sector in Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the achievements made in respect of modernization of coal fields in Maharashtra;

(c) the details of investments made in research and development in coal sector in Maharashtra during the last three years;

(d) the details of current collaboration with State and local Government; and

(e)  the  details  of  potential  areas  for  future  collaboration  with  stakeholders  for  regional development and the steps taken in this regard?

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES

## ANSWER (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred question no. *227 answered on 07.08.2024 asked by Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant: Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Hon'ble MP regarding 'Modernization of Coal Sector'.

(a)  &  (b): Yes  sir.  Government  has  adopted  new  technologies  in  mining  operations  for modernization of coal sector including in Maharashtra. Government has launched a Technology Roadmap for the coal sector with the objective to implement new technologies and build up digital infrastructure to support current and future mechanisation and modernization of the coal mines. The main focus is to bring blastfree technology in both Underground & Opencast mines. Introduction  of  Continuous  Miner,  Longwall,  Highwall  and  Surface  Miner  technology  by identification  of  mines  where  geo-mining  conditions  permits.  Main  thrust  behind  these technologies are safer work environment, greater coal recovery and increased efficiency. Other areas  identified  for  introduction  of  new  technologies  are  transportation,  communication, digitization, safety, environment & sustainability, etc.

Coal India Limited (CIL) through one of its subsidiary companies, namely Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is operating coal mines in the state of Maharashtra. In pursuance of the above initiatives of the Government, WCL has adopted various new technologies in mining operations for modernization of coal mines as detailed below:

(i) For introduction of new technology and modernization in coal production in command area of WCL, Maharashtra following technologies have been considered:-

- Continuous Miner technology has been adopted in Underground mine at Saoner UG-I, for which LOA has been issued.
- Surface Miner technology has been introduced in six Opencast mines, i.e. Penganga, Amalgamated Yekona I & II, Pauni-II OC Expansion, Mungoli Niruguda Extn Deep, Sasti Expn & Neeljai Exapnsion Deep.

(ii) Global Positioning System/ General Pocket radio System (GPS/GPRS) based Vehicle Tracking  System  (VTS)  with  3195  GPS  sets,  Geo-fencing  of  Mines  of  WCL  and  coal transportation route mapping are in place for effective real time monitoring of movement of internal coal carrying vehicles & vehicles for Overburden (OB) & Coal Productions in Mines.

(iii) Increased electronic surveillance through centralized CCTV  system  with 745 Fixed/Pan-tilt -Zoom camera (PTZ) at all vulnerable points across WCL command area.

(iv) Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for e-surveillance established at WCL HQ, Nagpur for 24x7 live monitoring and recording of video footage from Cameras installed and working at vulnerable points such as weighbridges, Check Posts, Mine View Points, Coal Stocks, Sidings etc. across command area of WCL with Artificial Intelligence (AI) based video analytics.

(v) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based Boom barrier access control system has been implemented at all Check posts to prevent entry of unauthorized vehicles in mines. RFID based Weighment integration has been implemented at all the Road weighbridges with auto capturing of vehicle number without any manual intervention.

(vi) Drone  technology  has  been  implemented  for  operation,  safety,  environmental  and security  surveillance  in  opencast  mines  of  WCL  including  3D  scanner  for  volumetric measurement of coal and overburden heaps.

(vii) Action has been taken for implementation of new upgraded Information Technology (IT)  initiative  system  in  WCL  with  integration  of  Automatic  Number  Plate  Recognition (ANPR) & Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based boom barrier system at mine entry and exit,  CCTV system  with  edge  analytics,  ANPR  &  RFID  based  weighment  automation system and GPS/GPRS based Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) on common ICCC platform for effective  monitoring  and  reporting.  The  system  includes  integration  of  1250  cameras  and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) video analytics.

For Commercial/Captive Mines, under Commercial auction scheme, Coal Block Development and Production Agreement executed between the successful bidder and Nominated Authority mandates that the Successful Bidder shall implement mechanised coal extraction, transport and evacuation in the Coal Mine, in line with modern and prevalent technologies.

(c): Disbursement made in research & development projects in coal sector in Maharashtra during the last three (3) years are as follows:

| Year                |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|---------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Amount (Rs. in Cr.) |     12.24 |       2.3 |     19.05 |

(d): At present, there is no collaboration with the State and local Governments in the area of technology upgradation and modernisation.

(e): If any proposal is received for any collaboration for regional development, it will be considered as per requirement.

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