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Marking a pivotal advancement in the adoption of cutting-edge technology within the coal industry, the Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the state-of-the-art ‘5G Use Case Test Lab’ at the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) in Ranchi. This groundbreaking initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the mining sector as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations.

The 5G Use Case Test Lab, recognized as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) by the Ministry of Coal, is designed to explore and develop applications tailored to the unique requirements of the coal industry. The lab is equipped to test and integrate 5G technology with a focus on enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in mining operations. This initiative underscores CMPDI’s role as a leader in innovation, driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the coal sector.

Minister’s Address and Acknowledgments

While inaugurating the facility, G. Kishan Reddy lauded CMPDI’s continuous efforts to improve mining practices through research and innovation. He emphasized the importance of leveraging advanced technologies like 5G to address the evolving challenges of the coal industry. The Minister highlighted how the establishment of this lab positions CMPDI as a trailblazer in promoting safer and more environmentally sustainable mining practices.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal; Smt. Vismita Tej, Additional Secretary; P.M. Prasad, Chairman of Coal India Limited (CIL); and senior officials from CMPDI, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL).

Unveiling of Sculpture and New Logo

In addition to the 5G lab inauguration, the Minister unveiled a symbolic sculpture titled ‘Replica of CMPDI Services.’ This innovative art installation, crafted from recycled industrial materials such as drilling rods and core boxes, underscores CMPDI’s commitment to sustainability. The sculpture intricately depicts the institute’s core services, including geomatics, exploration, planning, design, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, the Minister launched CMPDI’s new corporate logo, symbolizing the organization’s forward-thinking vision.

5G Use Case Test Lab: Objectives and Vision

The 5G Use Case Test Lab replicates an industry-scale 5G private network. It aims to support the coal mining sector by testing and developing applications for real-time communication, predictive maintenance, and industrial IoT (Internet of Things). The lab also plans to implement next-generation technologies such as digital twins, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) tools to enhance operational productivity.

Key objectives of the lab include:

• Creating scalable models for 5G network deployment in mining operations.
• Testing high-resolution video, voice, and IoT applications for smart mining and monitoring.
• Supporting advanced use cases like automation and predictive analytics.

Benefits to the Coal Industry

The 5G network’s integration into coal mining is expected to revolutionize operations by enabling real-time data exchange, enhancing safety protocols, and optimizing resource utilization. Automated machinery, predictive maintenance systems, and smart surveillance are some of the applications that will benefit from the high-speed, low-latency connectivity of 5G. Importantly, the data generated will remain secure within Coal India Limited’s private network.

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