Delhi, Sept. 15: Coal India Ltd is overhauling its underground and open-cast mining operations with artificial intelligence, automation and advanced digital systems, while targeting around 100 million tonnes of underground production to improve safety, recovery and operational efficiency.
The state-owned mining company has moved beyond conventional mining methods by deploying Internet of Things systems, AI, data analytics and automated controls across its operations, according to a Coal Ministry factsheet issued on Tuesday. The changes include predictive maintenance, automated dispatch, smart control rooms and technology-driven mine monitoring aimed at reducing workers’ exposure to hazards.
Coal exploration is increasingly using a combination of invasive core drilling and non-invasive 2D and 3D seismic surveys. The approach can reduce boreholes by up to 50 per cent, while Spectral Enhancement assaying is being used to improve determination efficiency.
Machine-learning models including Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Random Forest, Multi-Layer Perceptrons and XGBoost are being applied to interpret banded coal seams using Gamma-ray, Density and Resistivity logs. CMPDI is also deploying remote sensing, GIS, LiDAR, drones and bathymetric surveys across pre-, syn- and post-mining stages.
CIL has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Remote Sensing Centre to develop an AI-powered satellite-based geospatial dashboard for mine monitoring and environmental audits.
The company is also progressively adopting blast-free technology to reduce dust, noise and vibration while improving product quality and limiting coal losses. Electric detonators were phased out during 2024-25 and replaced with electronic detonators.
Safety systems now include operator-fatigue monitoring, proximity warnings, 360-degree cameras and automatic fire detection and suppression. AI simulators and virtual-reality training are also being used, alongside GPS-based truck dispatch, payload monitoring and vehicle-health monitoring systems.
For underground mining, CIL plans to raise production to around 100 MT through Continuous Miner, Longwall and Highwall technologies. Continuous mining has already been adopted, while large-scale Longwall deployment is being introduced. Investments in Paste Fill technology are planned to recover higher-grade coal locked in pillars, alongside stronger ventilation and strata management.
Coal evacuation is being strengthened through First Mile Connectivity and railway infrastructure, including Rapid Loading Systems. Four of seven critical railway projects, involving Rs 23,465 crore, have been commissioned, while the remaining projects are targeted for completion by FY 2027-28.
CIL’s digital infrastructure includes Integrated Command and Control Centres, vehicle tracking, RFID, automated weighbridges and GPS fleet monitoring. Its DigiCoal pilot covers seven mines, while SAP S/4HANA, e-Office, cloud infrastructure and data analytics support enterprise-wide digital operations.
The next phase will focus on intelligent, autonomous and lower-carbon mining. Remote-operated dozers are being piloted at SECL and NCL, alongside electric mobility and Trolley Assist technology. CIL is also working with IIT Madras on electrifying fossil-fuel equipment safely, while 5G networks, digital twins and autonomous monitoring rovers are being developed for underground mines.
