TFP Bureau, Ambikapur, January 2, 2024: In a groundbreaking development, the Indian coal industry has successfully tested unmanned dozer push mining technology, marking the country’s first major step toward digital autonomous mining. The test, conducted by Adani Natural Resources at the Parsa East Kete Basen (PEKB) mine in Chhattisgarh’s Udaipur block, was led by the National Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Mining and Fuel Research Institute (CIMFR).
This success represents a significant milestone for the Indian mining sector, where unmanned machines were employed for coal extraction. The test is expected to usher in a new era of mining operations, offering improved safety, increased production efficiency, and reduced reliance on traditional mining methods. It also emphasizes the importance of digital technology in the mining industry’s future.
Dozer Push Mining Technology: A Revolution in Mining Operations
The dozer push mining technique involves an automated, unmanned drilling machine used for cast blasting. After blasting, an automated, large-sized dozer machine, specifically designed for the process, moves the blasted material to the decoaled area. The method addresses several challenges of traditional truck-shovel mining, such as operational disruptions caused by poor road conditions during the rainy season.
By reducing the dependency on trucks and excavators, the dozer push method can optimize excavation operations, lower unit costs, and offer a more sustainable, efficient mining approach. Additionally, this technique enhances safety, as it eliminates the need for trucks, contributing to the PEKB mine’s commitment to high safety standards.
Dr. M P Roy, Chief Scientist at CSIR and CIMFR, praised the innovation, stating, “This new technique has the potential to revolutionize opencast mining operations in India. The dozer push method offers a modern alternative to traditional dragline and truck/shovel excavation, improving speed and reducing operational costs.”
Pioneering the Future of Mining in India
The successful test at PEKB was coordinated by Professor Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director of CSIR-CIMFR, and supported by key contributors including Dr. M P Roy, Dr. Vivek Kumar Himanshu, Shri R S Yadav, Shri Suraj Kumar, and Dr. Ashish Kumar Vishwakarma. Their efforts ensure that India is now at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge mining technologies, which are set to transform the coal mining sector in the years to come.
