Mining should focus more on using domestic resources for value addition, say experts
OST Business Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 10:
Mining and the mineral sector should concentrate more on value-addition activities by utilizing cost-effective domestic resources like coal instead of depending much on the imported raw material, experts opined at the inaugural session of the three-day13th International seminar on “Mineral Processing Technology-MPT 2013” being jointly organized by Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers (IIME) and CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IIMT) on Tuesday here on Tuesday.
Experts from industry, R&D institutions and academia are taking part in the three-day event. The theme for MPT-2013 is “Minerals to Metals for Sustainable Development-(MinMet)”.
“Indian mining industries should adopt technologies that are efficient to utilize low grade Indian coal rather than import high quality coal,” Chief Guest Dilip Oommen, CEO, Essar Steel Ltd, said.
“Besides, technologies that consume less water and energy in the processing of minerals for value added products should be used,” he said.
The mining sector that offers a huge potential for revenue generation in the county, especially in mineral-rich states like Odisha, should also use technology enabling low carbon dioxide emission for environmental protection, Oommen said.
“The sector should address critical issues causing water and air pollution, besides focusing on conservation of scarce resources like land, water etc, by means of their effective utilization. The impact of climate change on the planet due to such mining activities should also be studied,” the Essar boss said.
Oommen lauded the effort of the Indian scientists and R&D organizations, especially CSIR research laboratories, for their success in developing appropriate technologies for Indian mineral industries.
“Impending issues of Indian mineral industry can be resolved by taking advantage of the world class scientific expertise at IMMT,” said Professor B K Mishra, Director IMMT.
Around 850 delegates from India and abroad, besides Representatives from mineral industries of Odisha and research students are attending the seminar. Over 20 domestic and international equipment and product manufacturers exhibited their products on the occasion.
278 research papers covering various aspects of mineral engineering will be presented by researchers from across the country during the 3-day event, according to sources in the organisation committee for the event.
The next two days of the seminar would have experts talking on issues like iron ore beneficiation technology, utilization of mineral waste in developing value-added products, recycling of water, iron ore transportation, use of iron lime in iron-steel production, processing of off grade ores and wastes for meeting non-ferrous metals need of India. Besides, they would also deliberate on a road map for a mineral processing technology centre, the sources said.
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