Vedanta champions smart mining for safer operations on National Coal Miners’ Day

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 3, 2025

On the occasion of National Coal Miners’ Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its mining workforce. The company showcased a suite of cutting-edge technologies deployed at its Jamkani coal mines in Odisha—its first greenfield coal project—underscoring a major leap towards building smart, secure, and sustainable mining operations.

Emphasizing the company’s steadfast focus on employee safety, Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said: “Safety and well-being of our workforce is a non-negotiable priority. On Coal Miners’ Day, we are proud to lead AI and technology innovations that are redefining safety standards in mining and reflecting our commitment to building smart, secure and sustainable operations.”

The company’s proactive adoption of advanced technologies aligns with the Mines Act, 1952, and demonstrates Vedanta’s dedication to cultivating a Zero-Harm culture. Through the integration of AI-powered surveillance, drone systems, and driver safety mechanisms, Vedanta is transforming the operational landscape at Jamkani.

One of the standout innovations is an AI-powered drone surveillance system that provides real-time aerial monitoring of a 500-metre blasting zone. This system can automatically detect and record the presence of people, animals, and vehicles, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. It also enables live streaming and instant alerts for anomalies, allowing for immediate corrective action. The system is equipped with two-way audio communication, facilitating real-time coordination between officials, drone pilots, and blasting officers—an initiative developed through Vedanta’s Spark Innovation Programme to improve operational safety and efficiency.

Vedanta has also introduced drone-based volumetric analysis of coal stockpiles, enabling precise assessment of the entire stockyard and delivering comprehensive reports within just 12 hours. This not only accelerates operational planning but also enhances safety by eliminating the need for personnel to enter potentially hazardous zones.

To address vehicle safety, the company has implemented a fatigue monitoring system for mining truck drivers. This system issues real-time alerts in cases of drowsiness, mobile phone use, or other distractions—acting as a vital preventive measure against accidents. Complementing this, a proximity-based collision avoidance system has also been installed, which detects blind spots in front of the vehicle and provides timely alerts to drivers, helping them navigate more safely through the mining area.

Further advancing its digital safety infrastructure, Vedanta is piloting an AI-powered safety non-compliance detection system at Jamkani. Using smart CCTV cameras, the system identifies and flags real-time violations of safety protocols, ensuring swift enforcement and reinforcing a culture of accountability.