February 18, 2026

“Smart Mining and Real-Time Monitoring“

Mining is fundamental to economic growth, even as it operates within a landscape of high risk, regulatory demands, and evolving market expectations. Today, a combination of engineering practices, digital technologies, and data-driven approaches is shaping the future direction of the mining industry.

Prof. Radhakanta Koner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mining Engineering at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, with expertise in geo mechanics, slope stability engineering, and the application of digital and data-driven technologies in mining.

In a recent interaction, he shared insights on how real-time sensing, IoT, and data-driven approaches are transforming mine safety and operational efficiency. He also discussed his work on a smart, low-cost, Real-time Mine Slope Health Monitoring System (RTMS), developed with the support of Coal India Limited, aimed at improving slope stability monitoring and preventing mine slope disasters.

We now turn the spotlight to Prof. Koner as he shares his perspectives on the evolving role of technology in shaping safer and more sustainable mining practices.

Research Focus and Motivation in Mining Engineering I am grateful to my alma mater for giving me the opportunity to begin my journey as a mining engineer, and to the administration of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for enabling me to develop and apply geospatial technologies within mining engineering applications. I strongly believe that mining engineering and the mining industry form the foundation of modern societal growth, and this domain offers immense scope for the adoption of real-time sensing and data-driven decision-making to ensure long-term sustainability.

Applying Digital Technologies to Mine Safety: RTMS Project One of the recent projects I have worked on is the development of a smart, low-cost, real-time Mine Slope Health Monitoring System (RTMS), with the support of Coal India Limited. The system is designed to monitor the health and stability of mine slopes in real time, helping in the prevention and control of slope-related disasters while ensuring safe and efficient mining operations.

Role of IoT in Enhancing Safety and Operational Monitoring There are numerous opportunities for IoT applications in mining, particularly in open-cast mines and underground operations for environmental monitoring and operational control. The industry is increasingly welcoming low-cost solutions in this area, and we are seeing steady, incremental adoption of such technologies. Transparency in data collection and processing has become essential, and IoT- and sensor-based monitoring systems are adding additional layers of safety across various mining operations.

IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s Role in Advancing Smart Mining With the rapid pace of digitalization, mining engineers must adapt to this new normal. Along with traditional mining skills, future engineers need exposure to sensing technologies, automation, and digitisation. In this direction, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has taken important steps. In 2019, the Department of Mining Engineering introduced two new courses, Mine Automation and Data Analytics for undergraduate students, and Mine Simulation and Data Analytics for master’s students, among the first such initiatives in India.

Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Mining IIT (ISM) continues to play a pivotal role as a hub for mining engineering education and research in India, supported by strong national and global partnerships aimed at driving innovation and sustainable growth in the mining sector. Among emerging technologies, I see significant potential for edge computing and digital twins in the Indian context.

Encouraging Young Engineers and Collaborative Innovation I am optimistic about young engineers and researchers entering the field of geo-resource technology and smart mining. They are the key contributors to academic excellence and innovation, and the current ecosystem where academia, startups, and industry are increasingly collaborating is very supportive of advancing smart and sustainable resource extraction.

The Road Ahead for Modern Mining Final thoughts from Prof. Radhakanta Koner

Overall, mining continues to be a vital pillar of India’s economy, extending its impact well beyond operational activities. Its contribution to national income and public finances underscores the sector’s role in supporting regional development and long-term growth. Leading mining companies, including Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Coal India Limited, and NMDC, further reinforce this impact through sustained investments and contributions across mineral-rich regions, highlighting the strategic importance of mining in India’s economic and developmental landscape.

In mining environments, where vibration, load, and structural health data are critical, edge-AI platforms such as Gyrfalcon IntelliEdge Solutions can enable real-time processing of inputs from vibration, weight, and stability sensors. By bringing intelligence closer to the sensing layer, such solutions support faster anomaly detection, lower latency, and more energy-efficient monitoring in safety-critical mining operations.

Technical Content& Editor

Soumya Mukthavaram