According to Tarique Salman, Segment Manager – Surface Excavation Machine, Vermeer India, the Indian mining sector is already looking forward to adopting advanced mine surveying and exploration technologies to achieve resource efficiency.

What is the present market demand for surface mining in India?
The future of the mining equipment market in India looks good, with opportunities in underground and surface mining. The major drivers for the growth of this market are growth in mining activity, increasing demand for metal and mineral commodities, and rapid urbanisation. Conventional mining methods like drill and blast, ripper, etc. have their limitations in production and usage close to an urban neighbourhood. Due to blasting restrictions, a vast volume of beneficial ore cannot be mined due to the nearby inhabitants. An increase in mining related activities in many
states of India and a rise in demand for alternate mining equipment for applications such as metal mining, coal mining, and mineral mining fuel the growth of the surface mining equipment market.

Which equipment and technologies are primarily deployed to accelerate mining projects?
Emerging trends directly impacting the dynamics of the mining equipment industry are underground automation systems for efficient mining. Automatic power crushers for crushing and compacting operations; multi-functional excavators for construction and demining functions; use of hybrid electric motors for cost-effective operations; and rail conveyor technology for bulk material hauling solutions.

How are procurement challenges dealt with in this sector, especially in the aftermath of fluctuating metal processes and increasing environmental concerns?
Although adapting to new technologies calls for perseverance for the realisation of long-term benefits, mining companies are more concerned with short-term costs than long-term benefits. Moreover, growing uncertainties in the volatile mining market and commodity prices of several minerals, with the majority showing a downward trend, have strained mining companies’ margins.
In addition to these issues, the shortage of soft financing from financial institutions and banks has crippled investments in mining equipment and technologies.

How is the mining industry ensuring global standards in Indian mining operations?
Many technologies are being adopted in small ways by large-scale individual operators as they find themselves benefiting. With regards to active mining processes, underground mining (longwall mining in the case of coal extraction) and resource-efficient surface drilling technologies (usage of large equipment like dumpers and excavators for improving loading and haulage; hydraulic mining by replacing handheld drills with hydraulic and jumbo drills, etc.) are increasingly being adopted by large mining operations apart from the traditional opencast mining techniques. The Indian mining sector is already looking forward to adopting advanced mine surveying and exploration technologies (using geophysics applications using 2D and 3D seismic surveys) to achieve resource efficiency. Also, use software solutions by utilising 3D software packages (like Micromine, Gemcom Minex, Surpac, CAE Mining Datamin, and Vulcan) in the mine planning and design stage.

Considering the growing levels of innovation worldwide, more advanced technologies are now available for deployment to efficiently control the alarming rise of environmental pollutants like Acid Mist Suppressants. Technologies like Dust Control Systems, Electrostatic Precipitators, Scrubbers, Process Ventilation Systems, Pollution Control Systems etc. However, such advanced technologies are increasingly being adopted by major mining companies, but mass-scale adoption is still a long way off for the Indian mining sector. Moreover, it is primarily the private sector entities that have progressed more in this direction than public entities.

How do you look at the investments needed for the feasibility and accessibility of surface mining in Indian geological situations?
India has initiated several progressive policy measures, putting itself in a good starting position to undertake the transformation of the mining sector. By 2030, unlocking the potential of India’s mining sector could add USD210 billion to US$250 billion (`945 to 1,125 thousand crores), or 6 to 7 per cent, to the GDP and create 13 to 15 million jobs through direct and indirect contributions.

Having said that, there is still a massive gap between the capital expenditures undertaken and the potential CapEx needed to attain the potential the mining sector has to offer. Incentivising the mining companies by offering special financing terms or reduced interest rates can encourage them to invest in advanced technologies, which will boost the entire mining productivity.

Action is required on six key priorities, including enhancing the resource and reserve base through exploration and international acquisition, reducing permit delays, putting core enablers  (infrastructure, human capital, and technology) in place, ensuring sustainable mining and sustainable development around mining, creating information, education, and communication strategies, and undertaking measures to ensure implementation.

How do you ensure project site robustness, onsite safety, and fuel efficiency and reduce the additional expenses for mining activities?
The Vermeer Terrain Leveler® surface excavation machine (SEM) provides surface miners with a safe and costefficient alternative to drilling and blasting. This process helps eliminate dangerous flying debris, minimising safety concerns for miners using explosives. Also, these machines produce much less vibration and dust, which is beneficial for workers and the surrounding community.

Another attribute of precision mining machinery that helps with mining safety is how much more efficient the process is. There are fewer steps involved with precision mining, and most operations can significantly reduce the times the material needs to be handled.

A pressurised cab limits the operator’s exposure to dust particles and helps to filter out noise. The machine has a “Roll Over Protection System” to enhance the operator’s safety. With the “Operator Presence Sensor” activated, the machine automatically shuts down all operations in case the operator gets off his seat to ensure the safety of people working around the machine and the operator himself. Vermeer surface miners have a specialised hydrostatic system instead of a conventional gear system, which eliminates the need for a bigger horsepower engine, thereby reducing the overall operation and maintenance cost. It is also more fuel-efficient by consuming less fuel than most of its counterparts.

The “On-board Vacuum Dust Control” system eliminates the need for additional equipment like water tankers and watersprinkling systems at mines. This eliminates the need for additional equipment, reducing the CapEx and reducing the dust hazards at the site to a tune of over 95 per cent. Using Vermeer precision mining methods, today’s miners are actively taking steps to make mines safer, more sustainable, and better neighbours to nearby communities. The future of mining is precision.