The Mining, Geological & Metallurgical Institute of India (MGMI) and the CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR), Dhanbad, jointly organised a National seminar on “Technological Advancement for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (TASME-2025)” from 31 January 2025 to 1 February 2025 at CSIR-CIMFR Dhanbad.

The inaugural session began with an opening address by Prof. Arvind Kr Mishra, Chairman of TASME-2025 and Director of CSIR-CIMFR. He underscored that the mining sector contributes around 2.5% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and plays a paramount role in propelling the country’s growth. As India advances toward becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world, mining will be a critical driver of this economic leap.

Dr Murari Prasad Roy, Convenor of TASME-2025 and Chief Scientist, CSIR-CIMFR, presented an overview of the seminar’s goals & theme, focusing on technological innovations that promote sustainable mining practices. Engaging more than 250 participants from 36 industries, the stimulating seminar fostered spirited discussions centred around sculpting a sustainable future for India’s progressively crucial mining industry.

Shri Ranajit Talapatra, Honorary Secretary of MGMI, began his address by outlining the MGMI’s diverse efforts & practices across India. In particular, he underscored the impactful initiatives spearheaded by MGMI’s specialised divisions and praised CIMFR for being a key partner in helping the association move its goals forward.

Distinguished Guest, Prof. DD Misra, Chairman, CSIR-CIMFR Research Council, addressed the importance of mine closure as sustainable mining depends on effective mine closure. He noted that mining should not be seen as an indefinite activity; rather, before a mine begins operations, a plan for its closure should already be in place.

Guest of Honour Shri DB Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Raw Material at Tata Steel, shared his valuable experiences. He discussed Tata Steel’s initiatives in the sector and addressed several challenges faced by the mining industry, particularly the issue of mine closures, which is a significant concern.

He acknowledged that Coal India operates some of the largest mines in the country and emphasised the importance of sustainable practices in mining. Reuse and recycling of resources, he noted, are critical components of a sustainable mining strategy.

Shri Sundara Ramam praised open-cast mining as one of the most effective mining technologies and expressed pride in this achievement for the country. Throughout his speech, he emphasised that safety in mining must always remain a top priority.

Chief Guest Shri PM Prasad, Chairman of Coal India Limited, emphasised the importance of responsible mining for ensuring sustainability. He pointed out that research funding in the mining sector is currently limited, and there is a pressing need to promote research in mining and exploration. He highlighted the opportunities in the sector that still need to be fully explored.

Shri Prasad also spoke about Coal India Limited’s commitment to addressing climate change, with a focus on land restoration efforts. He mentioned the establishment of eco-parks and various environmental programmes aimed at minimising the impact of mining activities. Safety, he stressed, must always be a top priority, and there is a collective responsibility to the society, people, and communities impacted by mining.

The seminar concluded with the unveiling of the TASME-2025 souvenir and a vote of thanks by Dr Kripamoy Sarkar, marking the successful conclusion of the Inaugural Session.

This seminar has contributed valuable insights toward advancing sustainable mining practices in India’s future. Earlier, the inaugural session was followed by a keynote Session which was addressed by Distinguished Speakers; Four Speakers are listed: Prof. VMSR Murthy, Director, IIEST Shibpur; Shri Pankaj Satija, EIC, FAMD, Tata Steel Limited; Prof. Khanindra Pathak, IIT Kharagpur; Shri Om Prakash, CEO of Mining Business, Jindal Power Ltd. Post Lunch four technical sessions were conducted.

The valedictory function of the National Seminar on “Technological Advancements for Sustainable Mining and Exploration” (TASME-2025) was organised on 1 February 2025 at CSIR-CIMFR.

Prof. Arvind Kumar Mishra, during his welcome address, emphasised the crucial role of mining in the energy sector and pointed out how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, even regions like Dhanbad saw cleaner air, while mining operations continued. He stressed the importance of the mining sector’s commitment to greening and achieving zero carbon emissions. Prof. Mishra highlighted three key factors for achieving sustainable mining: government policies, corporate responsibility, and good available resources. He concluded by stressing the need for increased dedication, productivity, and sustainability in the mining industry’s future.

Shri Ranajit Talapatra, Honorary Secretary of MGMI India, expressed his gratitude for the two enriching days of the seminar. He praised the efforts of CSIR-CIMFR in organizing such a significant national seminar and thanked the participants for their involvement and contributions.

Prof. DD Misra, Chairman of the Research Council at CSIR-CIMFR, highlighted some of the key recommendations from TASME-2025, particularly advocating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to gather comprehensive inputs for improving the mining process.

Shri Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Director (Technical) P&P, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), delivered the address as the Guest of Honour. He shared his insights on the mining sector’s challenges and solutions, focusing particularly on safety measures. He also discussed BCCL’s initiatives and the need for cutting-edge technology adoption in the mining industry.

Chief Guest Shri Satish Jha, CMD, Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), discussed the importance of sustainability and a just transition in the mining sector. He shared his views on sustainability, emphasising the challenges faced by local communities and the need for positive social and environmental impacts. Shri Jha also spoke of the requirement for the mining sector to reconsider its negative impacts on the environment and climate change. He committed ECL to collaborate with CSIR-CIMFR on future research projects that support sustainable mining practices.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr MP Roy, Chief Scientist at CSIR-CIMFR. The event attracted experts, industry leaders, and researchers, to discuss the future of sustainable mining.