Conventional to Smart Mining: Technology Transformation of Coal India Limited

The Ministry of Coal has released a detailed report on the technology transformation of Coal India Limited (CIL) from conventional to smart mining. To bolster energy security, industrial growth, and sustainability, CIL is modernizing both underground and open-cast operations using advanced digital interventions such as IoT, AI, data analytics, remote sensing, and GIS. Key initiatives span resource exploration via machine learning, deployment of higher-capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM), electronic detonators, First Mile Connectivity infrastructure, environmental management systems, and enterprise IT integration like SAP S/4HANA. The future roadmap includes autonomous mining, 5G networks, dry beneficiation, R&D investments through the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), and collaborative Centres of Excellence.