Vedanta Aluminium Unveils AI-Powered Drone for Enhanced Mine Safety
14th February 2025
- The technology provides real-time alerts in case of obstructions in blasting clearance zones
New Delhi & Bhubaneswar, Odisha; February 14, 2025: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, 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. Collaborating with Vedanta’s Spark initiative to leverage innovative technologies towards achieving operational excellence, this project marks a significant leap in enhancing safety measures in its mining operations.
Equipped with cutting-edge software, the AI-powered drone provides real-time aerial views and automatic capturing of movements of humans, animals and vehicles around a 500-meter blasting zone, enabling officials to remotely monitor operations and get automated alerts of any on-ground movement through live streaming. It also facilitates seamless audio communication between officials, the drone pilot, and the blasting officer, ensuring precise coordination and operational efficiency.
The drone’s AI capabilities enable it to autonomously detect objects and send real-time alerts, providing comprehensive surveillance of blind spots which may not be captured through ground surveillance. In case of unauthorized entry or anomalies, it triggers immediate alerts, allowing for swift corrective action.
Jamkhani coal mine is Vedanta’s first-ever greenfield coal mine in Odisha. The mine is fully operational and caters to the fuel requirements of Vedanta’s Jharsuguda plant, among the world’s largest aluminium smelters.
Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, safety is a key priority. The integration of AI-powered drones in our mining safety protocols is a significant step forward in ensuring a safer work environment while improving monitoring and compliance. We remain committed to adopting best-in-class digital solutions for the well-being of our workforce.”
Highlighting the initiative, David Stone, CEO Coal Mines, added, “The introduction of this drone-based monitoring system sets a new benchmark in mine safety. By providing real-time surveillance and instant communication capabilities, it empowers our teams with greater situational awareness and risk mitigation strategies.”
Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive innovation in the mining sector by deploying advanced technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The AI-powered drone solution is part of the company’s broader strategy to implement digital transformation across its operations.
Amitesh Sinha, Vice President & Head – CVC & Spark, emphasized the critical role of corporate collaboration with startups, stating, “The deployment of this drone project in partnership with Vedanta Aluminium’s Mines team and Skylark Drones, reflects our commitment to safety through innovative solutions. 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. By leveraging technologies like AI, robotics, IoT, and smart safety solutions, we are driving innovation to transform manufacturing.”
Vedanta Aluminium remains committed to driving transformation in Odisha through strategic initiatives spanning education, safety, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. Collaborating closely with local authorities and community stakeholders, the company ensures its interventions lead to tangible socio-economic progress.
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 FY2024. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 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.
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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