BALCO Integrates Cutting-Edge AI Technology for Enhanced Safety
28th November 2023
Balconagar, Korba; 28th November 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer, and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, marks a significant leap forward with the introduction of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) in their internal vehicular operations. This cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology is poised to elevate road safety amid the dynamic driving conditions within the plant.
Given the diverse array of vehicles, ranging from 2-wheelers to heavy-duty technological vehicles carrying molten aluminum and other raw materials, BALCO places road safety at the forefront of its priorities. The constant movement of vehicles necessitates an unwavering commitment to road safety, rendering this digital integration a pivotal milestone in fortifying road safety measures and averting potential human errors.
The newly incorporated ADAS aids drivers in detecting blind spots around their vehicles, issuing real-time alerts when a moving vehicle change lanes. Another technological stride, the DMS, monitors driver’s behavior and attentiveness. Using an infrared inward-facing camera and leveraging advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools, the DMS continuously analyzes facial position, eye movements, and head positioning. It promptly raises alerts in the event of any unusual activities such as drowsiness, fatigue, phone usage, or any other distractions.
Emphasizing the significance of road safety, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, said, “BALCO is dedicated to fostering a secure working environment, aligning with our ‘Zero Harm’ philosophy at the workplace. Our objective is to establish a safe and protected environment for all employees, business partners, and visitors, extending across every facet of our facility. Each member of the BALCO family is committed to enhancing workplace safety by adhering to the fundamental rules and practices of Industrial Health, Safety, and Environment. This initiative closely aligns with our overarching priorities of ensuring workforce safety and leveraging digitalization and innovation for operational excellence.”
To build a robust safety culture, the company incorporates several cutting-edge technologies, such as:
- BALCO houses T-Pulse Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Monitoring System for ensuring fulfilment of crucial safety protocols, through a network of cameras using most comprehensive AI models, tracking ongoing activity inside the plant in real time.
- Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Centre, Video Analytics, Sustainability Mobile App, E-learning courses, and Digitalization of Workforce Connectivity to enhance leading indicators in safety practices.
- Centralized Security Operations Centre (CSOC) leverages digital intelligence and data insights for better decision-making in security, traffic & road safety, and supply chain security functions.
- Real-time data monitoring, facilitating end-to-end digital dashboards, including projects like the Hot Spot Detection System at coal yard, using thermal inspection to ensure strict safety.
- LED Logo projectors designed to illuminate safety signs on floors, ensuring clear and prominent display of safety messages in low-light conditions, especially in areas with dust accumulation and high vehicular traffic.
Testament to its safety-first approach, BALCO has received several accolades, including the Global Road Safety Award 2023 in the “Gold Category” from The Energy and Environment Foundation. This recognition underscores BALCO’s relentless pursuit of safety excellence, reinforced by regular safety training sessions and awareness programs. Additionally, the company achieved the status of ‘Platinum Winner’ at the 5th CII National Safety Practices Competition for its ‘Suraksha Sankalp Kutumbh’ project on safety digitalization.
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India and. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
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This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
