Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Minerals Mission and a Virtual Reality Mine Simulator (VRMS) at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s mining research, safety, and technological capabilities.
The newly established Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a national hub for research and industry-scale solutions in critical minerals. Its scope spans the entire value chain, including exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, reuse, and waste-to-wealth initiatives. The centre will collaborate with leading global academic institutions such as the University of Cambridge and St Petersburg University, while receiving infrastructure and technical support from IIT Gandhinagar, IIT BHU, and CPI (UK). The initiative aims to support India’s strategic requirements in critical minerals essential for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and national security.
The Minister also inaugurated the Virtual Reality Mine Simulator (VRMS), described as India’s first VR-based mine simulator for coal mining safety and productivity. Developed by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in collaboration with Coal India Limited, Northern Coalfields Limited, and Eastern Coalfields Limited, the facility features a 360-degree immersive virtual reality theatre built using real mine data.
Equipped with more than 20 specialized training modules, the VRMS enables hands-on training in heavy equipment operations and adherence to critical safety standard operating procedures (SOPs). The simulator provides scenario-based assessment and certification for personnel ranging from machine operators to senior management. According to officials, the system is expected to reduce training time by nearly 50 percent while significantly improving safety preparedness across mining operations.
During an informal interaction with students and young researchers at RD Chowk, a traditional gathering spot on the IIT (ISM) campus, Reddy discussed topics including innovation, sustainability, critical minerals, clean energy, and indigenous research-driven solutions. Encouraging students to move beyond conventional career choices, he urged them to view themselves as contributors to national development and strategic sectors, emphasizing that India’s future in mining and energy will be shaped by innovation-driven youth.
Earlier, the Minister highlighted IIT (ISM)’s pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s mining sector through research, knowledge creation, and technological advancement. He noted that the sector is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by technology, sustainability, critical minerals, and national security, aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Reddy also referred to digital initiatives such as Coal SETU, the Koyla Shakti Dashboard, and Integrated Command and Control Systems, which are leveraging technology to enhance real-time monitoring, operational efficiency, transparency, and safety in the mining sector.
Electrify your feed! Click here to join our Whatsapp group and to get the latest updates, expert insights, and innovations driving India’s energy storage revolution.
