The Indian mining industry plays a key role in supporting the country’s economy. In order to meet the growing demand, it is essential to improve mining operations through the introduction of new technologies for better energy utilisation and enhanced efficiency. At a recent India Infrastructure conference, Saikat Ghosh, Head, Digital Transformation Office, Adani Enterprises Limited, discussed the growing role of digitalisation in the mining industry, technologies in use, underlying challenges and future plans. Excerpts…
Growing presence
Over the span of two decades, Adani Natural Resources has undergone a remarkable trajectory in the natural resources and mining sector. Between 2006 and 2020, the firm witnessed strategic acquisitions of both foreign and Indian mines, solidifying its presence in mining operations across India. In 2020, it transitioned from coal-centric activities to a diversified portfolio encompassing iron ore and precious metals, and a transition from opencast to underground mining. This led to the creation of a centre of mining excellence, exemplifying Adani’s commitment to advancing mining practices.
Embracing the digital frontier
In tandem with current global trends, Adani Natural Resources plans to embrace a “digital first” approach. It aims to position itself at the forefront of the industry by integrating digital innovation into every facet of its operations, leading the way for a more technologically advanced and sustainable future.
The Adani Group is advancing its mining operations through a strategic approach involving rigorous training programmes focusing on enhancing safety and efficiency, complemented by investments in state-of-the-art tools for mine planning, design and maintenance. In addition, geographic information systems and simulation are being deployed. The group is focused not only on acquiring software licences but also on investing substantial time and effort to ensure the fundamental utilisation of these tools, recognising that true benefits arise from thorough integration into operational processes.
Recognising the capital-intensive nature of mining, agile process implementation is also a focal point. The company is actively exploring various automation possibilities, ranging from self-driving trucks to paperless despatch systems, as seen in the Talabira mines in Odisha. With the help of the customer success manager software, efforts are under way to operationalise paperless despatch systems. The company has embraced Industry 4.0 in the pursuit of smart and connected heavy earth moving machines, exemplified by the utilisation of operator-independent truck despatch systems.
Substantial investment has been made in adopting a data-first approach, ensuring that new operations are digitally equipped through smart mines with real-time information on operations, cloud-based analytics for macro and micro activities, and drone technology for surveys. The Adani Group places strong emphasis on pit-to-port systems integration. Utilising tools such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), the firm aims to connect management system tools and ERPs, ensuring an integrated approach across its mining operations. These strategic measures collectively represent the major areas where the group is actively driving innovation and transformation in the mining sector.
Overcoming challenges
The Adani Group faces several challenges within the sector that demand innovative solutions. The remote and harsh environments make it difficult to digitalise mining. Another challenge revolves around the intricate processes inherent in mining. Factors such as the tilt structure attached to mining trucks, dust, and vibrations create an environment fundamentally different from more conventional manufacturing shop floors. Unlike the latter, where digitalisation may be relatively straightforward, mining poses an extreme case. The lengthy survey processes, often spanning two years, underscore the complexity of digitalisation in mining. Moreover, a major challenge lies in overcoming resistance and fear of change to ensure successful adoption.
Going forward
Adani Natural Resources underscores its role as a transformative force in making mining a sustainable process. Considering the inherent energy intensity of mining operations, the firm advocates a judicious application of technology, which can substantially reduce costs by 20-30 per cent, benefiting both resource management and finances. In a broader industrial landscape, mining often occupies the bottom rung in terms of sustainability, and hence, the necessity to go digital emerges as the most effective avenue for achieving lasting sustainability in the mining sector. For digitalisation to be successful, the quality of solutions is contingent on the data gathered from the field. Adani’s vision for a sustainable and technologically advanced future positions it as a pioneer in shaping the mining sector’s transformation.