Lok Sabha Question No. 2672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Technological Advancements in Mining Sector of  Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2672

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN MINING SECTOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH

## 2672.  SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  specific  advancements  in  mining  technology  implemented  in Andhra  Pradesh  to  improve  efficiency  and  safety  including  the  names  and applications of these technologies;
- (b) the  details  of  the  total  investments  in  research  and  development  for  mining technology  in  Andhra  Pradesh  during  each  of  the  past  five  years  and  specific research areas funded;
- (c) the  details  of  the  collaborations  with  educational  and  research  institutions  to promote mining innovation in Andhra Pradesh including the names of institutions, nature of collaborations along with outcomes thereof;
- (d) the number of training and capacity-building programmes conducted for workers in the mining sector in Andhra Pradesh during the past five years, particularly in the use of new technologies and the number of workers trained; and
- (e) the quantum of impact of these technological advancements on productivity and safety in the mining sector in Andhra Pradesh, including changes in output and accident rates?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL & MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) Directorate General  of Mines  Safety (DGMS),  Ministry of  Labour  and Employment, Government  of India facilitates the implementation of advance technology  in  mines  by  issuing  technical  circulars,  recommending  scientific  study, granting approvals / permissions / relaxations for safe use of equipment, apparatus and  materials  in  mines.  Various  advancements  in  mining  technology  have  been implemented  through  out  the  country  including  Andhra  Pradesh  to  enhance  both efficiency and safety viz. Automatic Fire Detection and Suppression System (AFDSS), Wet  drilling  technology,  Controlled  Blasting  Techniques,  Safety  Management  Plan (SMP), introduction of Site Mixing Emulsion (SME) Explosives in large opencast mines like  Mangampet  Barytes  Mine  of  M/s  Andhra  Pradesh  Mineral  Development Corporation  Limited,  introduction  of  high  capacity  dumpers  for  transportation  of Mineral/Coal in opencast mines, introduction of Wire Saw Cutting Machines for the large opencast mines for extraction of Granite Blocks etc.

(b)  &  (c)           Ministry  of  Mines,  Govt.  of  India  provides  grant-in-aid  to  Academic institutions, universities, national institutes and R&D institutions recognized with the Department  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research,  start  ups  in  private  sector  for implementing Research and Development (R&D) projects under R&D component of Science and Technology Programme  of Ministry of Mines with the vision to promote research in applied geosciences, mineral exploration, mining and allied areas, mineral processing,  optimum  utilization  and  conservation  of  the  mineral  resources  of  the country,  for  the  benefit  of  the  nation  and  its  people.  The  R&D  projects  funded  by Ministry of Mines are intended for increasing productivity and promoting mines safety across  the  country  including  Andhra  Pradesh.  In  order  to  improve  productivity, efficiency and safety in mining and metallurgy sector, a total amount of Rs. 39.13 crore was released by the Ministry of Mines for funding R&D projects in the country during 2018-19 to 2023-24.

(d)       Adequate provisions for training and refresher training have been made under the Mines Act 1952 and Mine Vocational Training Rules 1966 framed thereunder. As per  the  provisions,  mine  workers  are  provided  with  initial  training  in  the  Mine Vocational Training Centre before they are engaged at work in the mine; Refresher training is provided after every five years to suitably develop and update their skills and to make them more competent to deal with changing environment and conditions; and Special Training Programmes are also arranged for selected category of workers. A details of the training imparted to workers in the mining sector in Andhra Pradesh is placed at Annexure-I .

(e)         Implementation  of  latest  technology  mentioned  at  Para  (a)  above  and introduction  of  various  digital  initiatives  in  mining  sector  viz  Mining  Surveillance System  (MSS)  and  Drone  Data  Management  System  (DDMS)  have  improved  the productivity, efficiency and safety in Mines in the country including Andhra Pradesh.

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## Details of training and capacity-building programmes conducted for workers in the mining sector in Andhra Pradesh

(i) As  per  the  annual  returns  submitted  by  the  mine  management  of  Andhra Pradesh to the DGMS, the details of training imparted to the  workmen as per the provisions of Mine Vocational Training rules - 1966 since 2019 are as under:

|   Year |   Vocational Training (Departmental) |   Refresher Training (Departmental) |   Vocational Training (Contractual) |   Refresher Training (Contractual) |   No of Mines (Annual Return Submitted) |
|--------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|   2019 |                                 1358 |                                 341 |                                1090 |                                225 |                                     182 |
|   2020 |                                 1200 |                                 443 |                                 845 |                                286 |                                     198 |
|   2021 |                                 1501 |                                 710 |                                1335 |                                442 |                                     190 |
|   2022 |                                 1291 |                                 520 |                                2734 |                               1734 |                                     213 |
|   2023 |                                 1568 |                                 214 |                                1761 |                                678 |                                     254 |

(ii) Besides,  Geological  Survey  of  India,  Training  Institute  (GSITI),  under  the Ministry  of  Mines  has  imparted  training  to  43  officials  of  Department  of  Mines  and Geology, Andhra Pradesh on geological mapping, use of remote sensing & GIS for disaster management, mineral exploration techniques for various mineral commodities including  critical  and  strategic  minerals,  structural  geology  and  use  of  National Geoscience  Data  Repository  (NGDR)  Portal.  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  (IBM),  a subordinate office of Ministry of Mines has also conducted training/capacity building programmes in filing Star Rating template from 24-25 January 2020, 11- 12 October, 2022 and on 13th October 2023 for Executives of Mining Industry at Hyderabad with the intended objective of increasing mines productivity.