With the Excon 2023 horizon, we catch up with Vivek Bhatia, Managing Director & CEO thyssenkrupp Industries India, to discuss the company’s preparations and objectives. From presenting innovations to reinforcing market presence, this interview provides a glimpse into the company’s dedication to driving positive change in the industry.

“Our objectives are to present our most recent innovations, interact with business partners, and solidify our market position.”

Can you share your thoughts on the latest advancements in the mining industry?

With the auctioning of several new mining leases and several policy initiatives taken by the Government we are quite optimistic about the development of the mining industry in India.

As we all know, mining is responsible for 7-8 percent of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. Consequently, there is a lot of emphasis on making mining operations more sustainable across the world and as well in India. One particular trend that is gaining significant momentum is the electrification of mining operations. The objective is to reduce the usage of diesel-based trucks and also to improve the overall efficiency of mining operations. We are witnessing a lot of projects that are focussed on first mile connectivity through conveying systems which results in improvement of system efficiency from mid 30 percent  to above 80 percent . With the incorporation of pipe conveyors, the dust emissions and as well material losses during the conveying path are also eliminated. Further such electrified mines can be powered through CFBC boilers running on washery rejects which further reduces the waste generation from mining. Such mines can also leverage green power (from solar or wind) to further improve their sustainability quotient.

Further, we are seeing a renewed focus on in-pit crushing to enable the system optimisation described above. Coupled with these trends, we are seeing the growing importance of automation and digitalisation in mining operations as well. Mining companies are increasingly looking towards a reduction in downtime through predictive maintenance using the increasing application of sensors in equipment.

While these concepts have been around for some time, they are again coming back to the forefront due to the growing importance and need for greater sustainability in mining.

What is your take on adopting IoT and AI in the material handling section?

In the mining operations, logistics alone contributes around 70-80 percent of the cost. Through the use of IoT and AI, we can enable the mining industry to further reduce costs by preventing the idle running of the conveyor system and ensuring optimal utilisation of the conveyor system. We create our digital solutions with the application of modern technologies and the latest sensors that allow the detection of vibration and vision-based controls and decision-making. We expect to see more IoT applications in the mining industry as firms invest in these technologies and sensor costs decrease. What sets us apart is that we offer comprehensive after-sales services in addition to selling equipment and thereby have a deep understanding of day-to-day operational needs and challenges. This allows us to create relevant IOT and AI applications that yield desired improvements in the operations.

Can you elaborate on your approach towards sustainability and environmental responsibility?

Long-term sustainability and efficiency are closely related. By employing semi mobile crushing plants inside the mining pit and conveying the mineral ore or the overburden through a series of conveyors to the end destination we are able to generate efficiency improvements that result in a significantly lowered environmental footprint. Effectively mining operations will become greener and sustainable as crushers and conveyors can be powered through grid power or pit head power or better still through green electricity. Conveyorisation of mines will also reduce fugitive dust emissions and water consumption which are major pollutants in our mines employing dumpers. The above solutions will also significantly improve operational safety.

How do recent government policies affect the construction and heavy machinery industry?

Government policies have strategically supported and placed special emphasis on the mining industry as well as the construction and heavy machinery required for mining operations. An industry-wide transformation has been sparked by the methodical reforms put into place and the fast-track auctioning of new mines. States like Odisha are proactively promoting the setting up of construction and heavy machinery industries in their states. The State and the Central Government are acting like a dynamic force by simultaneously promoting growth through focused incentives and assistance. This wellthought-out plan highlights the country’s proactive role in creating a thriving industrial landscape and demonstrates a commitment to sustainable growth.

What are your preparations and objectives for Excon 2023?

These kinds of events are great ways to interact with possible suppliers and customers. The vibrancy of the industry is reflected in the energy at these events. We are looking forward to seeing many new customers from the mining, construction, and allied industries. We aim to present our most recent innovations, interact with business partners, and solidify our market position. We will be demonstrating improvements made on our products at Excon 2023, as our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. We will be sharing how we have enhanced our offerings by integrating product platforms, digital technologies, and performance analytics. This approach is designed to refine our current products, foster new solution development, and create transformative experiences for our customers.