MINING PROSPECTS

Indian mining sector has seen a major turnaround in the recent years in the introduction of modern technologies and equipment in mining operations. Construction Times explores the trend and presents the need for a renewed approach on implementation of smart technologies in mining.

Mining plays an important role in the growth of downstream industries such as power, steel, aluminium and cement. They are essential components of the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. India has abundant deposits of minerals and coal, and mining has the potential to help propel the country forward to a USD30 trillion economy by 2047. The Indian mining industry has made a significant headway in the recent past with various reforms to unlock the country’s mineral potential. India has large reserves of iron ore, bauxite, chromium, manganese ore, Baryte, rare earth and mineral salts. While coal and iron ore mining have driven Indian mining sector in the past, mining of strategic and critical minerals is making inroads now. Minerals like coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, and limestone are critical for key industries such as steel, cement, and energy, driving industrial growth and development. Minerals such as phosphorite, graphite, and vanadium essential for high-tech and green energy applications, will play a greater role in future mining.

Mining trends

India has witnessed significant progress in mining in the past years. While the demand for steel and cement has grown considerably in the recent years, demand for strategic minerals has gained momentum with renewable energy and electrification gathering steam.

The growth in steel has created a major demand push for iron ore mining in India. The secondary producers in iron and steel segment contributes more than 40% to the production of crude steel. The role of secondary steel sector in infrastructure development is immense.  

Sustainability initiatives

Automation and digitalization play pivotal roles, offering seamless integration and real-time data analysis. Sustainability is now trending in mining with electrification playing a major role in mining operations. By reducing diesel consumption and incorporating electricity sourced from renewable sources, the sector can significantly reduce its environmental footprint. Moreover, these technologies enhance operational reliability, ensuring continuous mining even in adverse weather conditions.  

Tech innovations

According to an EY report, despite its significant reserves, India continues to import a substantial portion of its mining needs with several challenges hindering the realization of a self-reliant mining sector. Seasonal fluctuations, stringent environmental regulations, and the labour-intensive nature of mining operations further complicate the industry landscape. Adopting modern technologies directly impacts the financial landscape of mining operations.

Smart technologies in mining equipment are increasingly focused on automation, digitalization, and sustainability, with key trends including digital twins, autonomous operations, and remote monitoring. Kapil Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Local Division Manager, Process Industries, ABB India, elaborates on the trend, “Digital twins are gaining traction, enabling operators to simulate and optimize the entire mining process from extraction to market. By using real-time data, AI, and simulations, digital twins help optimize performance, monitor asset inventories, and improve decision-making across the value chain. The shift toward fully autonomous operations is also transforming the sector, with mining companies adopting automation to enable real-time supervision, planning, and reporting.”

According to Tarique Salman, Segment Manager – Speciality Excavation, Vermeer Equipment India Pvt Ltd, Internet of Things (IoT) can potentially transform the mining industry by creating new ways of maintaining mine safety and productivity. He adds, “The convergence of IoT and advanced data analytics help in corroborating predictive maintenance, operational optimization, high equipment efficiency. People are looking for solutions which enables them to get Real time data for Decision-making and improving the efficiency of work. The application of robotic technology powered by artificial intelligence can perform a range of tasks including drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, bolting mine roofs as well as ore sampling and rescuing trapped miners.”

Advanced equipment for better output

The evolution of mining industry has demanded more advanced technologies and machinery for better yield in mining processes. Also, the mining industry faces continuous challenges to meet and fulfill the sustainability requirements imposed by policymakers. This has created the need and demand for technologically advanced mining equipment and machinery.

Vermeer Equipment has introduced a range of mining equipment that take care of the future needs of the industry. The latest evolution of Vermeer’s Terrain Leveler range, T1255SSDD (single-side direct drive) continuous surface miner, has been developed to meet the unique needs civil, quarry and mining industries. The machine is ideal for hard rock excavation, road building and tunnelling applications to increase productivity and reduce overhead costs.

Vermeer T1255III Terrain Leveler SEM features GPS technology that can also be used to create a mine-by-line plan. Machine steering is controlled by the GPS technology, helping remove human error for cutting head overlap and maximizing efficiency of the machine.

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has introduced a range of mining excavators that meet the challenging conditions of modern mining operations. Hyundai Construction Equipment India’s mining excavators, including the SMART Plus and HX series, represent the pinnacle of engineering excellence, designed for the most demanding mining environments, according to   Sharwan Agnihotri, Head - Mining & Export Business, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment (India). “The SMART Plus series, which includes models such as the R215L Smart Plus, R220LS Smart Plus, R230LM Smart Plus, and R340L Smart Plus, is equipped with advanced efficiency technologies designed to optimize operational productivity and reduce fuel consumption,” he adds.

ABB's digital and automation technologies are evolving to meet the growing demands of India's mining sector by offering integrated solutions that boost efficiency and sustainability across the mining lifecycle. “With a strong portfolio that covers underground and open-cast mining, mineral processing, and material handling, ABB leverages real-time data to optimize plant-wide operations,” says Agarwal.

On a robust growth

The mining equipment industry is likely to experience robust growth, driven by technological integration, sustainability initiatives, and expansion into new markets, according to Salman. As mining companies increasingly prioritize sustainability, there will be a growing market for eco-friendly equipment, including electric and hybrid vehicles, which will drive innovation and investment in the sector.

According to Agarwal, automation, remote sensing, and advanced machinery are playing a key role in transforming mineral extraction processes, improving operational efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact. The future of smart mining will be driven by a range of advanced technologies and equipment designed to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability.