Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium, a leading aluminium producer company, has introduced its first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered drone-based solution for blasting clearance and danger zone monitoring at its Jamkhani coal mine in Odisha. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Vedanta’s Spark program, signifies a major step towards operational excellence and improved safety measures in mining operations.
Advanced Surveillance and Monitoring
The AI-powered drone is equipped with advanced software that provides real-time aerial views and automatically captures movements of humans, animals, and vehicles within a 500-meter blasting zone. This technology enables officials to remotely monitor operations and receive automated alerts of any on-ground activity via live streaming. Additionally, it facilitates seamless audio communication between officials, the drone pilot, and the blasting officer, ensuring precise coordination and operational efficiency.
Enhancing Risk Mitigation and Compliance
The drone’s AI capabilities allow it to autonomously detect objects and send real-time alerts, covering blind spots that traditional ground surveillance might miss. In the event of unauthorized entry or anomalies, immediate alerts are triggered, allowing for rapid corrective actions to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Commitment to Safety and Innovation
According to Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vedanta Aluminium, the integration of AI-powered drones into the company’s mining safety protocols is a crucial step toward creating a safer work environment while enhancing monitoring and compliance. The company remains dedicated to adopting best-in-class digital solutions to ensure workforce well-being.
David Stone, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vedanta’s Coal Mines, emphasized that the introduction of the drone-based monitoring system sets a new benchmark in mine safety. By providing real-time surveillance and instant communication capabilities, the technology enhances situational awareness and risk mitigation strategies.
Driving Digital Transformation in Mining
The AI-powered drone solution is part of Vedanta Aluminium’s broader strategy to implement digital transformation across its operations.
Amitesh Sinha, Vice President & Head – CVC & Spark, highlighted the importance of corporate collaboration with startups in advancing safety initiatives. He stated that the deployment of the drone project, in partnership with Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines team and Skylark Drones, reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging innovative solutions for safety. The Spark program is actively working with the Vedanta Aluminium team to identify key operational areas, introducing over 70 startups and deploying more than 100 projects.
