Advances in IoT-AI offer a ray of hope of mining sector
India needs to invest in research and applications of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for mining sector as these technologies will be cost-saving leading to more profits, high levels of productivity, improved quality and bring efficiency in the system.
This call was made by M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, at a webinar organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Leveraging IoT & AI in Mining Sector on 27 May 2021.
There is a need for the industry to focus and invest in the technologies, and have collaboration between research bodies and industry, he said.
Nagaraju also pointed out that India is slow to adopt newer technologies as compared to other countries.
The benefits and potential applications of AI and IoT are enormous for the mining industry as this industry is still using legacy practices and technologies, he said.
AI and IoT will help to facilitate central monitoring and optimizing pit-to-port operations in real-time, added Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHD Chamber.
“Very soon, as we start using 5G technology, more applications could be automated. Increasing use of Sensors, Digital Twins, Drones, AI algorithms, Control Systems are some of the examples of new technologies that will help mining companies to reduce manual efforts and errors, increase productivity, speed up decision making, plug gaps in team collaboration, and equipment utilization, address reporting of alarms and reduction of accidents, and better anticipate market demand.
“AI algorithms streamline ore fragmentation assessment, pre-and post-blast surveys, and site inspections in underground and open-pit mines using satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and 3D maps,” said Sanyal.
But as of now, the sector has lagged in the adoption of new technology, he acknowledged, stressing, “The advances in the IoT and AI offer a ray of hope.”
With a lot of mining activities happening in the country, there is a need to go a step further and leverage AI and IoT for improving mining protecting and bringing inefficiency in this sector, Anil K. Chaudhary, Chairman, Minerals & Metals Committee, PHD Chamber, also told the webinar.
He also mentioned that minerals have been identified as a resource for many sectors of the economy and there will huge demands for minerals in the coming times. #technology #resources #investment #5G #economy #AI /fiinews.com
