(ET)
Coal India (CIL) plans to check illegal mining and pilferage with the use of drones, which it has tested in a pilot project. Its exploration arm, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, recently tied up with Centre for Aerospace Research, Anna University of Chennai, for drone technology.
“A pilot project was undertaken at Coal India subsidiary, Central Coalfields’ Topa Mine where drones successfully tracked sources of illegal mining as well as the route being followed by them to take away pilfered coal,” a Coal India executive told.
“In a recent meeting with CMPDI executives, secretary coal directed for implementation of drone technology in identified 35 top coal producing mines of Coal India with a focus on prevention of illegal mining activities, land reclamation monitoring. It was further directed to identify other applicable areas for drone technology,” he said.
