Considered as a stressed segment in India over the years, the mining has got a new lease of life after the policy revival to open up the door for private players. With the right technologies and equipment that reduce the impact of mining on nature and improve productivity can lead Indian mining sector to a prospective future.

Mining activities are steadily growing in the country after the Central Government’s policy revival. Especially coal mining is seeing a revival with more mining contracts are taking place after the private contractors are allowed in the commercial coal mining. This has created a positive vibe for mining equipment and solution providers in the country. 

Policy boost 

Mining is traditionally a slow growing sector considering the complexities associated with the mining projects and processes in with respect to environment, land, and local issues. Also, mining projects take a long gestation period for getting operational after the approval and allocation for mining. But after the policy revival, there are some positive vibes visible on the above-mentioned challenges. After the policy revival, even the state-owned coal mining companies are awarding mining contracts to mine developer operators (MDOs). This is expected to revive the mining sector and increase output in the coming years.

According to Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, the recent policy changes will open up avenues to bring more transparency in auctioning the blocks, both for exploration and mining. This has opened up new opportunities for private players to acquire new machines and technologies and improve operations. “Private players will now be able to extend their support to bring new technology, innovation and expertise in the field of mining. I believe that these strategic investments in mining can transform and boost India’s aim of a $5 trillion economy,” adds Arun.

Hemant Mathur, AVP Sales and Marketing, Tata Hitachiis of the view, “These changes should go a long way in revitalising the performance of the mining sector. With a new concept of commercial mining being introduced, the entry of private players in coal mining is a step in the right direction that will contribute to enhancing coal production in the country, as well as boosting revenues in a rapid and efficient manner.”

“The Indian mining segment is ever expanding with the privatisation of commercial coal mining which has led to the presence of an increasing number of private players in the evolving domain. Even the public companies, such as Coal India, Steel Authority 

of India Limited (SAIL) etc, form a huge customer base for the earthmoving segment,” says Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. The company has recently introduced the giant 57” EARTHMAX SR 468 tire for mining applications, which is the largest tire ever manufactured by BKT. 

Opportunities for technology players 

Mining equipment players are looking positively at the development in mining sector. After the last year’s changes in mining policies, there were news on a few large volume mining equipment purchases by public sector and private mining companies. State-owned CIL in February this year that it had entered into a pact worth ₹2,900 crore with Belaz for purchase 96 dumpers of 240 tonne capacity each.Earlier, L&T had announced similar large volume mining equipment contract from coal and iron ore segments. The orders are for supply of Komatsu dump trucks, wheel loaders and large excavators. These orders sign a major revival in technology adoption in the Indian mining sector.

Hindustan Zinc, an underground mining major, has been using technologically advanced equipment in its mines. “Presently, our Sindesar Khurd Mine and Rampura Agucha Mine have tele-remote LHD and Solo equipment running and we are planning to expand this feature to our other units as well,” says Arun. According to him, the company has signed MoUs with Epiroc and Normet to bring Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in underground mining. This initiative is the first of its kind in India in the mining sector. 

Tata Hitachi is reviving its plans for mining sector with more products and solutions. As Hemant highlights, “We currently manufacture the largest range of excavators in India, and we are continuously looking at upgrading and expanding our range. We have in place a process to bring in new products and technologies into India, both for product upgrade, as well as for Make in India initiative, and for continuously trying to make India a production hub for a global organisation with multiple production facilities.”

BKT is aiming big for the Indian mining sector, as Rajiv says, “We are constantly innovating at BKT to offer the very best to mining applications and have a wide range of offerings for earthmoving machines operating in both surface andunderground mining. In the medium term, we are also planning to unveil new sizes, under our expansion program, to cater to every possible demand in the market.”

Mining outlook 

According to a report released in May this year, rating agency ICRA predicts that the Indian mining and construction equipment market is likely to grow by 15-20 percent in the calendar year 2021. But at the same time, it cautions about some sudden negative surprises in case of any unexpected pandemic wave again. 

Looking at the future trends in Indian mining, Hemant says, “Advancements such as hybrid machines, more environmentally friendly equipment, ergonomically better and safer equipment, interconnected equipment that work together through advanced software and mine management systems, and autonomous and remotely operated machines, to name a few, are all in various stages of discussion and introduction to Indian markets.” 

Because of the technological revolution, the nature of mining is constantly shifting and most of the mines in India are open-pit mines, but the transition to underground mining is around the corner, according to Arun. 

“We also see a robust future for mining in the country on the back of the new Mining Rules allowing commercial mining. In addition, the Aatmanibhar Bharat programme will go a long way in ensuring we are able to indigenously service this sector effectively and efficiently,” Hemant concludes on a positive note.