SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 23: IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM) in association with Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, India has set up Sandvik Mining Automation Learning Centre (SMAC) on the campus of the institution for providing mining industry trained and skilled workforce for mine automation.
Prabhat Kumar, Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) inaugurated the centre today and highly appreciated the step by the IIT (ISM). Markus Lundgren, the economic and commercial counsellor of Sweden embassy, IIT (ISM) director Prof Rajiv Shekhar, the Chairman of TEXMiN Foundation; Kiran Acharya , the Managing Director of Sandik Asia Private Limited; Asoktaru Chattopadhya, country head and president, Sandvik Rock Processing, Manojit Haldar, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology India and Dhiraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM) who is the Project Director of TEXMiN Foundation were present on the occasion.
The chief guest of the event DGMS DG Prabhat Kumar while inaugurating said that the trained manpower is the primary requirement of mining Industry as it ensures greater safety as well as efficient mining. He lauded the effort of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in taking the initiative to launch the centre in Association with Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology India to provide best skill and also Automation in the area of Mining.
Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Prof Rajiv Shekhar said mining is going to be completely different in coming days as it will be completely based on the use of latest technology, automation and digitalization for which the Sandvik Mining Automation Learning Centre will provide a crucial role in terms of providing skilled manpower to operate such mines.
He also expressed dismay over the fact that the majority of the students were earlier interested in computer science engineering or IT Sector but now focus of automation and digitisation will change completely in mining engineering in the coming days.
Dhiraj Kumar, deputy director of IIT (ISM) while elaborating the objective of the centre said that the centre will provide the opportunity to UG students of mining engineering to get knowledge about Mine Automation and Data Analytics as the Integral Part of their Curriculum.
“SMAC will also provide opportunity to PG students of IIT (ISM) as well as the UG/PG students of knowledge on Sandvik Mine Automation by offering short duration programmes of one week (may get extended to two weeks depending on the need) on Optimine and Automine module through summer schools,” said Prof Kumar.
