The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Adopt modern technology to cut cost, mining industry urged

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Adopt modern technology to cut cost, mining industry urged

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, SEPT. 6. The two-day 16th national convention of mining engineers-2004 that concluded yesterday at Neyveli near here has come out with a set of recommendations, underscoring the need for adopting modern technology to lessen the impact on environment and to cut mining costs.

The convention organised by the Institution of Engineers (India), Neyveli local centre, under the aegis of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd., suggested that the mining industry go for contract mining and outsourcing of services to bring down the cost.

It cited the instances of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh where these concepts were being successfully implemented. It urged the mining companies to become proactive in dealing with environmental control, and put in place industry-wide monitoring and control mechanism.

Engaging external agencies for reclamation and land upgradation may be considered, and to facilitate this, appropriate legislation be introduced. The meeting called for evolving norms for controlling dust in mining activity and adoption of alternative methods for exploitation of deep-seated coal and lignite deposits to reduce environmental impact.

`Classify sources'

It noted that the mineral sources spread across the country should be classified as per the United Nations' framework, because uniformity in norms would facilitate investment decision. The convention sought adoption of modern technology for geo-physical exploration and remote sensing methods in land use patterns and exploration.

It mooted effective vibration control measures in blasting operations in large open cast mines and recommended the use of mixed emulsions and electric detonators. It said deep mines would have to effectively deal with groundwater control/management, both at the local and the regional level.

This called for maintaining a balance between sustainable mining operations and retaining the original groundwater level.

Life of equipment

The convention recommended use of custom-built equipment in large open cast mining schemes and added that improved life of mine equipment played a major role in project viability.

Machinery manufacturers from Germany and Austria stated the general life of structures was based on a design of over 30 years, and therefore the convention called upon the industry to study their methods of depreciation of equipment.

The convention pointed out that for achieving sustainable energy production, the feasibility of tapping sources such as geo-thermal, solar and wind energy and use of garbage (biomass) may be explored.

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