GMDC to set up global centre on mining safety and automation

State public sector unit Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) will set up a global centre on mining safety and automation in Gujarat.

The centre which is likely to be established on a public-private-partnership (PPP) model to facilitate research on mining and skill upgradation, is expected to be set up by a GMDC-led consortium comprising industry and academia.

“A decision to set up an international centre on mining safety and automation in Gujarat has been taken at the board level. We are looking for a suitable partner from the industry as well as domestic and international universities to establishing the centre,” Gujarat’s Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Mines, Maheswar Sahu said at an industry event supported by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

“The proposed centre will come up around Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar. It would be like any other centre of excellence, where research and skill upgradation can take place to take mining activities to further heights,” GMDC Managing Director V S Gadhavi told PTI.

“The concept to establish the centre is expected to be ready by January end. Details are being worked out in collaboration with academia. It would be a place where participants from other mining states could also carry out research activity,” Gadhavi said.

GMDC also plans to set up a centre of excellence at Ambaji in North Gujarat for the stone industry.

It has begun exploration of lignite, bauxite, limestone and manganese and plans to begin mining at Umarsar lignite mines in Kutch, besides Lakhpat Dhedadi lignite and limestone mines, also in Kutch.

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