A two-day national workshop on 'Current Problems & Constraints in the Mining Industries' began at the Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, on Friday. The event is jointly organized by the department and the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad.
Inaugural Session Highlights
Welcoming delegates and participants, Prof Rajesh Rai, head of the department, underscored the importance of collaborative discussions to address emerging challenges in the mining sector. Prof Suprakash Gupta, convener from IIT-BHU, delivered the opening remarks and emphasized the need for sustainable and technology-driven mining practices. Niraj Kumar, deputy director general and convener from DGMS, highlighted the importance of mine safety and regulatory compliance in modern mining operations.
Key Addresses by Dignitaries
Ujjwal Tah, director general of DGMS, stressed the significance of technological intervention, occupational safety, and policy reforms in addressing current constraints in the mining industry. Prof Amit Patra, director of IIT-BHU, stated that the workshop would serve as a valuable platform for interaction among industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academicians to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the mining sector. He also reiterated the institute's commitment to research and technological advancement in mining and allied industries.
Technical Sessions
Technical Session-I was coordinated by Prof NC Karmakar and Rahul Upadhyay. It featured keynote lectures by Niraj Kumar (DDG, DGMS, Dhanbad) and Debdulal Sarkar (chief manager, Coal India Limited), followed by a panel discussion involving experts from industry and academia, including Mahesh Pimprimule (KPMG) and SS Soni (director, Mining, Ajmer).
Technical Session-II was coordinated by Prof A Jamal and Dr Amrendra Kumar. It included keynote lectures by Ujjwal Tah (DG, DGMS, Dhanbad) and Samir Kumar Kundu (GM, Mining, Northern Coalfields Limited).
Cultural Program and Next Day
Later, participants visited Assi Ghat and witnessed the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening. The second day of the workshop will begin with Technical Session-III, coordinated by Prof P Rai and Prof GSP Singh. The session will feature a keynote lecture by retired IOCL official Manish Sinha, followed by an expert panel discussion.
