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Date of Publication: 24-2-2018 Regd. with RNI R.No. 71519/99; No. of Pages: 36+Cover 4 Date of Posting: 29 / 30 of every month Postal Regd. No. H-HD-GPO/024/2018-2020

Official Publication of Mining Engineers’ Association of India

Price `100/-

Vol. 19 No. 8 Monthly March - 2018

Mining Engineers’ Association of India Flat-608 & 609, Raghava Ratna Towers, A-Block, VI Floor, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Ph.: 040 - 66339625, 23200510, Email: [email protected] Website: www.meai.org

CMYK CMYK

Date of Publication: 24-2-2018 Regd. with RNI R.No. 71519/99; No. of Pages: 36+Cover 4 Date of Posting: 29 / 30 of every month Postal Regd. No. H-HD-GPO/024/2018-2020

Official Publication of Mining Engineers’ Association of India

Price `100/-

Vol. 19 No. 8 Monthly March - 2018

Mining Engineers’ Association of India Flat-608 & 609, Raghava Ratna Towers, A-Block, VI Floor, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Ph.: 040 - 66339625, 23200510, Email: [email protected] Website: www.meai.org

CMYK Official Publication of Mining Engineers’ Association of India Vol. 19 No. 8 Monthly March - 2018 this issue contains...

President’s Message 5

Editor's Desk 7

President News from the Mining World 8 Arun Kumar Kothari

Vice President- I Vice President - II Vice President - III ‘Powder Factor’ Based Tenders – 13 to 24 pages S.K. Pattnaik K. Madhusudhana S.N. Mathur - Master will be black Progressive or Regressive? 15 Secretary General - M.O. Sarathy - Images will be gray Dr. H. Sarvothaman Table lines BLACK Jt.Secretary.cum.Treasurer MEAI News 31 Box lines BLACK M. Chakradhar - all colours convert into BLACK Ex-officio Council Members Conferences, Seminars, Workshops etc. 38 T. Victor, A. Bagchhi, Dr S.K. Sarangi, Dr V.D. Rajagopal, R.P. Gupta

Council Members (Elected) nd st rd th A.L. Thakor, A.R. Vijay Singh, C.S. Dhaveji, D.A. Hiremath, Deepak Gupta, D.K. Saxena, D.S. Maru, Dr K. Srihari, Kolli Umamaheswara Rao, Maheem Kachhwaha, Correspondence Address Mahesh A. Bongale, M.S. Raju, Pankaj Kumar Satija, R.H. Sawkar, Raghunath Singh, Rajendra Singh Rathore, Prof Sushil Bhandari, MEAI National Head Quarters S.C. Suthar, S. Kumaraswamy, Vilas Teggi Contact: Secretary General, Mining Engineers’ Association of India Representatives of Life Institutional Members F-608 & 609, Raghavaratna Towers, ‘A’ Block, VI Floor, The India Cements Ltd (LIM No. 16) The Ramco Cements Ltd (LIM No. 17) Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500 001. Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (LIM No. 18) Ph.: 040-66339625, 23200510 Associated Mining Company Ltd (LIM No. 19) E-mail : [email protected] NMDC LTD (LIM No. 20) website : www.meai.org Council Members (Nominated) T.N. Gunaseelan, A.K. Gupta, A.K. Sinha, S.M. Bothra, Deep Krishna The Views expressed by the authors in these pages are not Council Members (Co-Opted) necessarily those of publisher / editor / MEAI. Reproduction Dr N.K. Nanda, Prof B.C. Sarkar, Prof B.B. Dhar, M. James, Akhilesh Joshi in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 3 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 4 March 2018 President’s Message…… Colourful Greetings on Holi Festival. I am happy to inform our members that February has been an eventful month for MEAI and wish to highlight below a few of them. a) Inauguration of Conference-cum-Auditorium of MEAI HQ at Hyderabad on 24th January by Sri Ajay Mishra Ji, Add. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Telangana and holding 2nd Council Meeting followed by 2nd EGM and Editorial Board Meeting. b) Sri S.N. Mathur, our Vice President, successfully revived Veraval–Porbandar Chapter under the Chairmanship of Sri Arun Kumar Sharma, Sr. Vice President (Mines), Ambuja Cements Ltd., and Secretary Sri Manish Kumar Yadav, GM (Mines), GHCL Ltd. Congratulations to the new leadership of Veraval–Porbandar Chapter. c) Rajasthan Chapter-Jaipur organized a timely workshop on “River Sand & its Alternatives” on 11th February at Mining Welfare Centre in association with Department of Mines & Geology, Rajasthan. d) Hyderabad Chapter organized an International Conference-cum-Exhibition Mineral bearing areas not covered by forest or “MINING TODAY 2018” at Hyderabad from 14th to 17th February. His Excellency Sri ESL Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana environmentally fragile zones should be designated was the Chief Guest of the Event. Special Guest Hon’ble Union Minister of as Mineral Lands. This protection is essential to Mines, Sri Narendra Singh Tomar, distinguished Guest, Hon”ble Minister ensure mineralized areas not used for purposes other of Mines, Govt. of Telangana, Sri K T Rama Rao, Guests of Honour, Sri Arun Kumar, Secretary Mines, Govt. of India, Sri Jayesh Ranjan, Principal than mining, due to scarcity of minerals identified for Secretary, Govt. of Telangana and Sri Subhash Reddy, Chairman TSMDC extraction were the other dignitaries present on the occasion. e) MEAI submitted its comments/ suggestions in writing on the draft National Mineral Policy, 2018 to Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India.

In my welcome speech, of the inaugural function of ‘Mining Today-2018’, I proposed the following key suggestions for the thoughtful consideration of the policy makers. • “Economical and environmentally viable progress in mining activities to ensure extraction of requisite quantities of mineral resources for national security and prosperity” should form the guiding principles of the National Mineral Policy. The hitherto deciding factors to regulate the mining activity - transparency and Govt. revenue, should be understood as responsibility and reward respectively. • Mineral bearing areas not covered by forest or environmentally fragile zones should be designated as Mineral Lands. This protection is essential to ensure mineralized areas not used for purposes other than mining, due to scarcity of minerals identified for extraction. • In order to promote ‘ease of doing business’, the mineral concessions granting procedures shall be made transparent with an assured security of tenure and include transferable exclusive rights to the explorer for extraction of underlying minerals along with seamless transition from RP to PL and to ML. • The private sector should be encouraged to take up bulk of the mineral exploration to curtail the use of taxpayers’ money by the government in the risky exploration activity. Upon finding of minerals if only the public sector companies allowed their mining, the private exploration companies should be adequately compensated and rewarded. • The government shall strive to ensure uninterrupted supply of minerals/ore to the downstream industry by enacting / amending all necessary laws, rules and regulations, in light of intervention of Hon’ble Courts in mining matters and through its judgments stopped mining activities and imposed huge penalties on mine owners. Orders such as the recent Orissa and Goa Order by Hon’ble Supreme Court putting a blanket ban on mining, adversely affect the livelihood of workers as well as the mineral availability and prices. • The rules and regulations shall be amended to ensure least delay, for want of compliance, in conducting exploration and mining activities. The flagrant waste of precious time must be reduced by incorporating time-bound “real” single window clearance, and even better - with pre-cleared projects including ready land. • The government should improve ease of doing business by subsuming existing multiple taxes and royalty into single (or at most two) head with or without allowable input credits, at globally competitive rates. • Construction sand is an essential mineral to all persons and necessary ingredient for the development of infrastructure, and offers purposeful employment in rural areas. However, sand mining today is passing through severe difficulties for one or other reasons. Lakhs of rural workers rendered jobless and the construction industry entirely paralyzed. If this problem is not resolved quickly, it may lead to mass discontent in the society. I shall continue to emphasize to my fellow members that technically, financially and well-networked MEAI will go a long way in shaping the future of our country. While we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee year of MEAI, let us contribute our best to strengthen the base and finances of the Association, and help revitalize the Chapters to perform to their best potential. Jai Hind.

Arun Kumar Kothari President Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 5 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Association of India Regd. Office : Rungta House, Barbil (Odisha) Presidents & Secretaries/Secretary Generals Life Institutional Members Period President Secretary/Secretary General 1. Aarvee Associates, Architects, 38. Orient Cement (LIM-059) Mining Engineers’ Association Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-049) 1957-64 B.L. Verma B.N. Kanwar 39. Panduronga - Timblo Industries (LIM-056) 2. ACC Ltd (LIM-25) 1964-67 N.S. Claire R.C. B. Srivastava 40. Pearl Mineral Ltd., (LIM-39) 1967-68 L.A. Hill S. Chandra 3. A.P. Mineral Dev. Corp.Ltd., (LIM-12) 1968-69 H.L. Chopra M.G. Jhingran 41. Priyadarshini Cement Ltd., (LIM-5) 1969-70 S.S. Manjrekar V.S. Rao 4. Aravali Minerals & Chemical Industries (P) Ltd. (LM-048) 1970-71 R.C.B. Srivastava M.G. Jhingran 42. Radials International (LIM-29) 1971-72 R.K. Gandhi B. Roy Chowdhury 5. Associated Mining Co., (LIM-19) 43. Rajgarhia Group of Industries (LIM - 050) 1972-73 I.N. Marwaha D.D. Sharan 6. Associated Soapstone 1973-75 R.S. Sastry M.S. Vig Distributing Co. (P) Ltd. (LIM-057) 44. R.K. Marbles Pvt. Ltd., (LIM - 52) 1975-76 G.L. Tandon K.K. Biran 45. Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals (LIM-053) Mining Engineers’ Association of India 7. Belgaum Minerals (LIM-64) 1975-76 G.L. Tandon K.K. Biran 8. Bharat Alloys & Energy Ltd., (LIM-36) 46. Sagar Cements Ltd., (LIM-21) 1976-78 D.L. Patni A.K. Basu 1978-80 R.C. Mohanty S.K. De 9. Capstone 47. Sandvik Asia Limited (LIM-46) 1980-81 M.K. Batra R.C. Dutta Geo Consultants (India) Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-66) 48. Sesa Goa Ltd., (LIM-11) 1981-82 D.K. Bose S.B. Mukherjee 10. Designer Rocks (P) Ltd., (LIM-32) 1982-83 P.R. Merh M.K. Srivastava 49. Shree Cement Ltd. (LIM-051) 1983-86 V.S. Rao L.S. Sinha 11. FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Ltd. (LIM-61) 50. Shri Sharda Cold Retreads (P) Ltd., (LIM-24) 1986-88 M.A.Khan D.K. Sen 12. Grasim Industries Ltd., (LIM-26)0 1988-90 Saligram Singh A. Panigrahi 51. Shree Engineering Services (LIM-15) 1990-93 M. Fasihuddin B. Mishra 13. Ambuja Cements Ltd., (LIM-3) 1993-95 K.K. Biran S. Chandrasekaran 52. S.N. Mohanty (LIM-62) 14. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd., (LIM-6) 1995-97 N.S. Malliwal Dr. P.V. Rao 1997-2001 T.V. Chowdary CLVR Anjaneyulu (S.G.) 15. Gujarat Mineral Dev. Copr Ltd. (LIM-18) 53. South India Mines & Minerals Industries (LIM-2) 2001-2003 R.N. Singh -do- 54. South West Mining Ltd. (LIM-40) 2003-2007 Meda Venkataiah -do- 16. Gujarat Sidhee Cements Ltd., (LIM-4) 2007-2009 R.P. Gupta CLVR Anjaneyulu & Shri A.S. Rao 17. Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd. (LIM-9) 55. Sri Kumarswamy Mineral Exports (LIM-43) 2009-2011 Dr. V.D. Rajagopal A.S. Rao (Formerly IDL Industries Limited.) 2011-2013 Dr. S.K. Sarangi -do- 56. Sudarshan Group of Industries (LIM-047) 2013-2015 A. Bagchhi Koneru Venkateswara Rao 18. Hindustan Zinc Ltd. (LIM-60) 57. Tata Chemicals Ltd., (LIM-7) 2015-2017 T. Victor -do- 19. The India Cements Ltd. (LIM-16) 2017-2019 A.K. Kothari Dr. H. Sarvothaman 58. Tata Steel Limited (LIM-8) 20. Indian Rare Earths Ltd., (LIM-35) Chapter Chairman Secretary 59. Terra Reserves Determination 21. J.K. Cement Ltd (LIM-058) Technologies (P) Ltd., (lim-055) 1. Ahmedabad P.N. Rao Pulak Mathur 22. JSW Cement Ltd. (LIM-63) 2. Barajamda Pankaj Kumar Satija Mukesh Ranjan 60. The K.C.P. Ltd., (LIM-22) 3. Bailadila A.K. Shukla C.V. Subrahmanyam 23. Jubilee Granites India Pvt. Ltd., (LIM-23) 61. Thriveni Earthmovers (P) Ltd., (LIM-31) 4. Bangalore Dr T.N. Venugopal K.R. Krishnamurthy 24. Kariganur Mineral Mining Industry (LIM-41) 5. Belgaum Sri D.S. Malkai Dr.P.T. Hanamgond 62. Transworld Garnet India Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-67) 6. Bellary-Hospet B. Sahoo K. Prabhakar Reddy 25. Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd., (LIM-33) 63. Tungabhadra Minerals Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-42) 7. Bhubaneswar S.K. Patnaik B. Patra 26. Krishna Mines (LIM-27) 8. Dhanbad Dr.Pradeep K Singh Dr.Santosh K Ray 64. UltraTech Cement Ltd., 9. Goa C.G.S.B.Varma E.Hymakar Reddy 27. Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd. (LIM-69) A.P. Cement Works, (LIM-28) 10. Himalayan J.L. Sud Rajneesh Sharma 28. Madras Cements Ltd., (LIM-17) 65. Ultra Tech Cement Ltd. (LIM-10) 11. Hutti-Kalaburagi Prakash Shiojee Roy 12. Hyderabad B.R.V.Susheel Kumar Dr. C. Narsimulu 29. Manganese Ore (India) Ltd., (LIM-37) 66. Veerabhadrappa Sangappa 13. Jabalpur D. Roy Manoj Sankar Singh & Company (LIM-44) 30. M.P.L. Parts & Services Ltd., (LIM-14) 14. Kolkata Dr. A. Srikant Shameek Chattopadhyay 67. V. Thirupathi Naidu (LIM-34) 15. Rajasthan-Jaipur O.P. Gupta P.C. Bakliwal 31. MSPL Limited (LIM-30) 16. Rajasthan-Jodhpur Dr.P.C.Purohit A.K. Jaiswal 32. Mysore Minerals Limited (LIM-45) 68. VS Lad & Sons (LIM-38) 17. Nagpur D K Sahni K T Parag 18. New Delhi A.K. Bhandari Deepak Gupta 33. My Home Industries Limited (LIM-70) 69. V.V. Mineral (LIM-68) 19. Rajasthan-Udaipur Dr.S.S.Rathore R.D.Saxena 34. Maheswari Minerals (LIM-65) 70. W.B. Engineers International Pvt. Ltd., (LIM-13) 20. Raipur V.D. Mali Mukhesh Thawait (Laterite Mine Owners and Traders) 21. Rayalaseema P.V. Krishna Yadav K. Amarnath Reddy 35. National Aluminium Co. Ltd, (LIM-1) Institutional Members 22. Singareni B. Ramesh Kumar K. Laxminarayana 23. Tamil Nadu Sri P. Ramasamy Sri M. Mayilarajan 36. NMDC Ltd. (LIM-20) P.I. Minerals Pvt. Ltd. 24. Veraval-Porbandar Arun Kumar Sharma Manish Kumar Yadav 37. Obulapuram Mining Co. (P) Ltd. (LIM-54) B.L. Meena Marbles 25. Visakhapatnam Prof. C. Kasipathi K. Venkata Ramana

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 6 March 2018 Editorial Board Editor's Desk Indian democracy is said to rest on the well-regarded four pillars of the President - MEAI Chairman Legislature, the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Press. While the Legislature passes national policies and the Executive articulate the rules, it is for the Editor - MEJ Member judiciary to interpret them if any dispute arises.

Publisher - MEJ Member Indian mineral sector was being challenged with unanticipated blows from the Apex Court. Iron ore transport suspension from Goa in October 2012, Dr. Abani Samal Member iron ore mining and exports ban from Goa & Karnataka in 2014, 214 coal blocks allocation cancellation in September 2014, and 87 mining leases Dr. P.V. Rao Dr. A.K. Sarangi Member cancellation recently in Goa; and Rs 17,576 Crore penalty imposition for Editor, MEJ illegal mining on 152 iron & manganese ore leases of Odisha in 2017 are Prof. Annavarapu Srikant Member worth citing illustrations. From these judgements, it is apparent that the mining industry was involved in irregularities of variable scale and defied the mineral conservation and development rules. The public Mr. P.C. Bakliwal Member in general, therefore, perceive mining with contempt, assume it as a preventable evil that impinges damage to environment, and introduce inequalities in the society. Dr. Sahendra Singh Member Mining sector shall view the disruptions of this magnificent scale as an opportunity to engage itself in Prof. S.S. Rathore Member conducting businesses ethically and refurbish its blemished image. Embracing disruption is more than just a desirable manoeuvre and the mining Expanding inequality and growing public Prof. Sushil Bhandari Member industry cannot afford to wait for change. Daunting disruption in mineral supply may awareness could be two fundamental reasons for Imm. past President- MEAI Member become a reality unless the 348 merchant the public filing Public Interest Litigations in the mine leases expiring in 2020 auctioned on courts, seeking justice time. Editor It is hard to point out serious glitches with the formulation and enacting of mineral sector related policies, except that of a recent directive of the Apex Court to MoM to review the National Mineral Dr. P.V. Rao Policy (NMP), 2008, which was almost a decade old, and bring out the revised NMP that is aligned with (Off. : 040 - 23200510) the rules being made. However, undeniably, problems persist with their appropriate implementation. Cell : 96180 91039 The regulators and the monitoring agencies appear to be unsuccessful in curbing the mine operators Email: [email protected] from breaching the rules and regulations, thereby exposing themselves to extensive penalties slapped by the Apex Court. Who is accountable for the state of affairs prevalent in the Indian mining industry today – mining industry professionals, mine operators, regulators, monitoring agencies, courts or PUBLISHER politicians? Firstly, had the regulators and monitoring agencies strictly prevailed up on implementing the approved Dr. H. Sarvothaman mine plans and reprimanded the mine operators for non-compliance of rules, the current situation Secretary General, would not have aroused? Shouldn’t the regulators be made accountable for their failures, in the same way as that of the mine operators? Secondly, the current state of affairs could have been partly negated, Mining Engineers’ Association of India had the mining industry professionals displayed rational resistance to unethical practices. Lastly, the Mob: 94901 89807 professional bodies should also own their share of responsibility for being unsuccessful in facilitating meaningful dialogue between regulators and industry professionals and educating them on adopting international best practices and code of ethics through professional development programs, leading to subscription rates actionable items. Inadequacies in appropriate implementation, irrespective of their source, collectively earned irreparable bad name for the mining sector. India Foreign We are proud to be Indians, whose economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. 1. Subscription for Nevertheless, the benefits of growth are not reaching equally to all sections of the society. Expanding inequality and growing public awareness could be two fundamental reasons for the public filing 1 Year Rs. 1000/- US$120 Public Interest Litigations in the courts, seeking justice. World Economic Forum urged the leaders 2. Single Copy Rs. 100/- move immediately to a new model of inclusive growth and development. Creation of District Mineral Foundation in 2016, to placate the longstanding demand of the people living in mining areas, is a welcome step. However, how best the fund is utilized for its intended purpose, is under stakeholders’ surveillance. The Journal will be despatched positively on 29th/30th of every Failure to launch major exploration and mining projects, in recent times, may be largely ascribed to month by post to all the members nonexistence of ‘social licence to operate’ from the affected communities in the region, rather than their economic unviability or technically infeasibility. The International Council on Mining and Metals and subscribers. The publisher is (ICMM) provides guidelines to its member companies in the world for engagement with communities not responsible for its non-receipt for improving quality of life. It is for the mining sector of India to address this critical issue harmoniously if it wishes to march forward successfully. by the addressees. - Editor

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 7 March 2018 News from the mining world ä Modi government rolls out Rs 80,000 a month PhD ä Indian government to auction eight more mineral grant to plug brain drain blocks in three states Modi government is rolling out the mother of all Financial Express reported that government has scholarships for India's best brains. As part of its move identified eight more mineral blocks with a cumulative reserve of 1,133 million tonnes in Rajasthan, to stop them from taking up research scholarships Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to be auctioned by mid- abroad, the Cabinet has cleared the PM Research march. So far, a total of 88 mineral blocks have been Fellowships (PMRF) for students of higher education notified by 9 states for auction, of which 33 blocks institutions like the IITs, IISERs and NITs, which will have been successfully auctioned with an estimated also be the country's most lavish paid scholarships to revenue of INR 1.28 lakh crore over the lease period to date. the states. Of the eight mines, six are of lime stone five in Rajasthan and one in Chhattisgarh, one of iron ore Lavish it is. The PMRF includes monthly scholarships of and the remaining one is of graphite & quartz – both in Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 and annual research grants of Jharkhand. Five of the limestone blocks in Rajasthan – four in Nagaur district and one in Jaisalmer will be put Rs 2 lakh for select scholars. The Centre has approved under hammer on February 7, while the Chhattishgarh an allocation of Rs 1,650 crore for these fellows to be mine in district Baloda will go for e-auction on March spent over three years. 12, as per the mines ministry.

"The scheme will go a long way in tapping the talent pool The remaining two iron ore and graphite & quartz of the country for carrying out research indigenously blocks will be auctioned on March 14. These mines in cutting edge science and technology domains," have a cumulative reserve of 1,133 million tonnes of Union human resource development minister Prakash limestone, iron ore and graphite & quartz. Of these eight blocks, only one limestone block in Chhattisgarh Javadekar said. is reserved for clinker and cement plants, while there is no end use reservation for the remaining, the ministry "Research under the scheme will address our national said. The ministry, meanwhile is also contemplating at priorities at the one hand and shortage of quality faculty setting up special purpose vehicles that will acquire in premier educational institutions of the country on the necessary project clearances, including environmental, other. It will help convert brain drain into brain gain," he for the mineral blocks before bidding, a move that may said. add pace to the auction process, an official said.

The minimum eligibility for aspirants will be a cumulative Mr Arun Kumar Mines Secretary had said last month that recent changes in bidding rules are expected to grade point average (CGPA) of 8.5. The minister said lead to wider participation and a smoothening of the that the scheme will be rolled out from the 2018-19 process. “We had rounds of discussions and have academic session. brought out the amendments in auction rules which we feel will go a long way in smoothening the process,” Under the scheme, students who have completed or he has said. So far, 33 mineral blocks have been are in final year of B.Tech or integrated M.Tech or M.Sc auctioned and revenue to the states estimated at INR in science and technology streams at IISc, IITs, NITs, 1,28,000 crore over the lease period. This fiscal, so far IISERs, IIITs will be offered direct admissions in PhD 12 mineral blocks have been auctioned, which brought programmes in IITs and IISc. a revenue of INR 48,000 crore over a lease period of 50 years to the states. Almost 30 blocks will be put up on auction in January 2018, which is the highest Students, who would fulfil the eligibility criteria and get in a month since the auction route was adopted for shortlisted, would be offered a fellowship of Rs 70,000 allotment of the mineral blocks. a month during the first two years, Rs 75,000 per month during the third year and Rs 80,000 per month during Prior to the changed guidelines, the process of auction the fourth and the fifth year. used to get scrapped if there were less than three bidders and this process was carried out for at least A research grant of Rs two lakh each will also be three rounds and flexibility was allowed only in the fourth provided to the fellows for a period of five years to cover round. Each round of auction went on for a minimum of three months, which saw many blocks getting annulled their foreign travel expenses for presenting research time and again. While a minimum of three bidders is papers at international conferences and seminars. still required in the first attempt to auction, under the ET Online | Feb 09, 2018 amended rules now, the states have the flexibility of

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 8 March 2018 allocating the block in the second round itself even if C mines is expected to resume soon as the state there are less than three bidders. government is in the process of passing suitable Financial Express, Mining News | January 23, 2018 orders. Idcol faced a compensation burden of Rs 105 crore. Since the PSU was facing resource constraints, ä Odisha's penalty collection touches Rs 112 bn another state undertaking- Odisha Mining Corporation from mining operators (OMC) offered an inter-corporate loan of the same Apart from working mines, some 30-odd leases, amount. which were already inoperative at the time of the SC Jayajit Dash, Bhubaneswar, BS | February 8, 2018 order have also done the payments. The collection of compensation from iron ore and manganese miners ä SC quashes 88 mining leases, bringing extraction in Odisha has reached Rs 112 billion as leaseholders of ore in Goa to a standstill of some inoperative mines rushed to make payments NEW DELHI: In a major blow to mining companies after the recent Supreme Court stricture. In the latest operating in Goa, the Supreme Court on Wednesday round of hearing last week, the apex court had directed quashed 88 leases granted to them by state government the state government to pull all stops to realise the in 2015 saying that the Centre and state acted in undue dues pending on miners. The top court even offered haste by allowing renewal of leases in violation of law the government the option to scrap mining leases and for the benefits of private firms. confiscate assets of miners who do not comply. The apex court's order will bring the mining operations "Some of the mine leaseholders like Idcol (Industrial of iron and manganese ore to a complete standstill in Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd) and the state. The court directed the companies to wind their Serajuddin & Company have made payments. Their operations by March 15. It asked the state government mining operations were shut on January 1 after they and Centre to take steps to grant fresh mining leases failed to meet the December 31 deadline for payments. in accordance with the law and also recover amounts These leaseholders would now have to plead before from companies for indulging in illegal mining. the Supreme Court for restarting their operations," said an Odisha government official. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta noted that state government started process of renewal Apart from working mines, some 30-odd leases, which of leases just a day after the Centre had taken decision were already inoperative at the time of the Supreme to amend the law to take the route of competitive Court order have also done the payments. The future of bidding or auction process for granting lease to mining such leases would depend on consequent orders from companies. The state renewed 31 mining leases on the court. The Supreme Court in a case of rampant January 12, 2015, the day when Mines and Minerals illegal mining in Odisha and acting upon a petition (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance filed by NGO Common Cause had asked the Odisha came into force. government to collect 100 per cent cost of illegally raised iron and manganese ore. The court pronounced "The undue haste with which the State granted the its verdict on August 2 last year. The cost of excess second renewal of mining leases particularly after the production was worked out at Rs 175 billion based amendments proposed to the MMDR Act were placed on the calculation done by the central empowered in the public domain by Centre is a clear indication that committee (CEC), an apex court-appointed panel to the decision of the state was not based on relevant investigate into illegal mining. material and not necessarily triggered by the interests of mineral development. The very large number of After the top court's judgment, miners have pleaded for renewals granted over a comparatively brief period is extension of the deadline for paying compensation and a clear indication that the state did not have mineral also allow them to make staggered payments. But, the development in mind but had some other non-statutory court dismissed all petitions and did not budge from its interests while taking its decision to grant a second December 31 deadline. The court order applied to both renewal to the mining leases," the bench said. working and non-working iron ore and manganese mines. Not all miners were able to make timely The court held that there was no need to take the payments. Accordingly, the state government pulled the decision in haste as mining operation was banned plug on operations of seven working mines with annual for the last two years since September 2012 and the iron ore production capacity of about 20 million tonnes. urgency suddenly exhibited by it therefore seemed to The mines suspended were under the leasehold of be "make-believe and motivated rather than genuine". state-owned Idcol, Serajuddin & Company, Mideast Integrated Steel, OMM Ltd and Korps Resources. “A partial explanation for this hurry, if we may venture to suggest, is that Goa was aware on November 17, For Idcol, the Supreme Court has already condoned 2014 if not earlier, of the policy of Centre to auction the delay in payments. Mining operations at its Roida (Continued on Page 25)

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 9 March 2018 M/s P. BALASUBBA SETTY & SON Group of Units

M/s PBS & SON Mines – M.L.No.2502. PBS GRAND - HOTEL - HOSAPETE KARIGANUR - HOSAPETE

M/s PBS STEEL – 250 TPD - Sponge Iron Plant M/s PBS POWER – (03 Nos) WIND MILL Halavarthy Village – Ginigera – Koppal Dist. Ron Taluk – Gadag Dist.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 10 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 11 March 2018 MINES SAFETY ASSOCIATION KARNATAKA GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

National Conference on FUTURE TRENDS IN MINING (Tomorrow Mine – SAFE MINE) 25th & 26th May 2018 J.N.Tata Auditorium, Indian institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka (India)

Mines Safety Association Karnataka (MSAK) which was established during 1968 by Late Sri.S.C.Mohanty of Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited with support of DGMS will celebrate Golden Jubilee year during 2018. MSAK is a pioneer association in India, dedicated to Mining Industry in Karnataka and parts of Andra Pradesh & Tamilnadu CONFERENCE BACKGROUND In this background, MSAK felt to organize the seminar to discuss “Future Trends in Mining” (Tomorrow Mine-SAFE MINE). The experts in the various aspects of mining and other allied subjects are invited to present their views in all technical sessions for meaningful discussion. The Seminar is designed to have better interaction instead of simple presentation. CONFERENCE THEMES 1. Safety Standards in Mining – New Tools 2. New Trends of Exploration in Strategic & Research minerals 3. Advance Technology in Mining operations 4. Sustainable Environment 5. Legislation, Amendments and their effects 6. Infrastructure development around Mining (Stakeholders) 7. Alternative system of transportation: Downhill Conveyors and Railway Siding etc., 8. Processing of Strategic Rare Earth Minerals & Beneficiation of low grade bulk minerals 9. Education, Training & HRD DELEGATE REGISTRATION To register, please fill up the Registration Form and return it along with the applicable Fee. Before 31st March 2018 After 31st March 2018 Spot Registration Delegate Fee Rs.3500/- Rs.4000/- Rs.4,250/-

Stall for Exhibit Products Leading manufacturing companies are invited to exhibit their recent equipments or technology Payments The Demand Draft/Cheque towards the above amount may please be made in favour in Hon.Secretary, Mines Safety Association Karnataka, payble at Hosapete and sent to Hon.Secretary, MSAK C/o. MSPL LIMITED, Baldota Enclave, Abheraj Baldota Road, Hosapete-583 203, Ballari (Dist) Karnataka, India Chief Patrons Shri. Prasanta Kumar Sarkar Director General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India Principal Convener Dr. Meda Venkataiah Executive Director, M/s. MSPL LIMITED & Chairman, MSAK Principal Sponsors Directorate General of Mines Safety, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Karnataka For more details Contact Convener Shri. Dhananjaya G Reddy General Manager, M/s. R.Praveen Chandra & Hon.Secretary, MSAK, Email id: [email protected]

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 12 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 13 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 14 March 2018 ‘POWDER FACTOR’ BASED TENDERS – PROGRESSIVE or REGRESSIVE? M.O. SARATHY*

PREAMBLE nineties and the way the world today is looking at monitoring ‘Powder Factor’ (PF) is a mere number that denotes the the impact of fragmentation achieved in the primary blast on volume (m3) or tonnage (t) of material broken using a the downstream operations up to crushing at the preparation kilogram (kg) of explosive. It has no bearing on or takes plant or grinding up to recovery of metal from ores. into account the properties of the material being blasted or the performance parameters of explosive used in the blast. 1. DRILLING and BLASTING Powder factors are usually calculated after the blasts as a Prof. Hustrulid (Ref 8) in his book has explained the effect data for records and not assigned prior to blasts. of drilling and blasting costs and extracts are reproduced below: Impact of bad blasts are known well to operators - primarily poor fragmentation (large fragments / boulders in muck pile) “Drilling and Blasting are part of the overall process and and tight muck piles (stacked up muck pile / hard digging that process must be treated as a total system. The parts for loading machines) on the downstream operations of of the system are not independent and the total cost of the loading, hauling and crushing (primary and secondary) process cannot be minimized by minimizing the individual where applicable - such as in-pit crushing of overburden parts. Decreased cost of explosives, for example, do not for disposal through conveyor, coal handling / preparation necessarily lower overall costs. Increased spending in plants, limestone quarries (attached to cement plants) and one area can be offset by greater savings in other areas ore mines (for extraction of metals such as iron, copper, – Results have shown that better drilling and blasting lead-zinc, gold). While poor blasts can occur due to many practices can produce better fragmentation which in turn reasons, attempts to reduce drilling and blasting costs are has a positive effect on overall costs – The entire mining often an attributable cause. process begins with drilling and blasting and all downstream efficiencies and costs are controlled by fragmentation. This In addition to competitive prices, some mining companies simply means that no matter how efficient or large mining seek explosive suppliers to quote a “guaranteed powder equipment is, it cannot be effective unless the rock can factor” (GPF) which would be achieved with the use of be handled efficiently. Furthermore, because downstream their product in the mine allotted to them for supply. This is costs are large in comparison, the opportunity exists to save applicable in both opencast and underground coal mines. money downstream by better fragmentation from blasting – Explosive manufacturers carry out a detailed assessment of At least up to a point, it is more effective to break rock with the prevailing geo-mining conditions of the overburden and explosives than mechanically in crusher or grinding mills coal seam characteristics in the individual mines and with – The blasting efficiency was not measured by minimum knowledge of their own explosive product, quote GPF which powder consumption but rather comminution of the bank. they are confident of achieving on a day-to-day basis. This was defined as that which yielded maximum digging and The paper discusses issues relevant to the advantages loading efficiency at the shovel with minimum of repairs”. accrued with good fragmentation and muck pile looseness in primary blasts. Mines should have in place, a detailed system As early as 1966, McKenzie (Ref 11) said “In the open of monitoring and recording the operating performance pit mining field over the past ten years, one of the greater and costs during various stages of excavation. This would achievements in lowering costs has been the development provide a total picture on the final outcome of good blasts of more powerful explosives. A popular saying among mine vis-à-vis bad blasts. This is essential since mines can management is that the place for primary crushing is in the evaluate / assess / analyze / detect the possible reasons for mine – not in the crushing plant. Effective blasting in the mine poor productivity or bottlenecks in operations caused due is the key to an efficient, low cost operation. The evaluation to bad blast design, below-par performance of explosive of this cost and its effect on the cost of the drilling, loading, and/or initiation system or high GPF used by suppliers in hauling and crushing functions in any mining operation is eagerness to gain business. probably the most pressing problem facing mine management today. The lowest cost per ton produced through the crusher The paper also gives a glimpse to the ‘Mine-To-Mill’ is the final answer and the determination of it, or “optimum optimization concept pioneered in Australia in the late blasting” is the subject under consideration here”.

*MEAI Life Member, Hyderabad, [email protected] Original manuscript received: 03-12-2017; Peer reviewed and accepted: 28-12-2017

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 15 March 2018 52 years down the line, mining companies are still spending of detonation VOD (m/s). Higher VOD generates higher their time and effort in trying to control expenditure by shock energy. In combination, higher density and higher reducing drilling and blasting costs, seeking lowest quotes VOD generates higher detonation pressure which results in on explosive price and guaranteed powder factor from better breakage. Soft, coarse grained and jointed materials explosive manufacturers. require explosive having higher heave energy (gas energy) while hard, fine grained, dense material require explosive 2. GEOLOGY – A COMPLEXITY which generates higher shock energy. Explosive with high Geology is a complex uncontrollable variable in the VOD will not perform well in soft strata as the shock energy excavation process. The term ‘geology’ encompasses a gets absorbed in it and in jointed strata, the joint planes act very broad spectrum of material properties, structural as free faces and cause the shock waves to get reflected at characteristics and anomalies. It is well known that the geo- every joint plane and progressively weakens before reaching mining conditions of a coal or mineral deposit is not constant. the free face. Geology varies both in extent and depth in different areas of the mine, with varied properties and geological structures. Commonly measured parameters are density, compressive Strata changes from site to site, bench to bench and within strength, tensile strength, longitudinal wave velocity (also bench also. Presence of aquifer in-situ is another important known as sonic velocity), hardness, young’s modulus and aspect of geology from view point of explosives. poisson’s ratio. Structural aspects are joints (horizontal, vertical, inclined), bedding planes, open cracks, faults, folds, The first assessment normally refers to strata as being soft, mud seams, vughs, solution cavities, porosity and presence medium hard, hard or very hard. Soft rocks get blasted easily of aquifer. with weak explosive (low energy / low strength) and with less quantity of explosive. Medium hard-hard-very hard strata Bell (Ref 3) provides description of materials based on require progressively stronger explosive (higher energy / compressive strength and sonic velocity (longitudinal wave higher strength) with higher density (g/cc) and higher velocity velocity) as under:

Sonic Velocity Description Compressive Strength (MPa) Description (m/s) A Very High Strength > 224 1 > 5000 Very high

B High Strength 112 – 224 2 4000 – 4500 High

C Medium Strength 56 – 112 3 3500 – 4000 Moderate

D Low Strength 28 – 56 4 2500 – 3500 Low

E Very low Strength < 28 5 < 2500 Very low

1 MPa = 10.1972 kg/cm2

Hagan and Gibson (Ref 7) classified excavation characteristics vis-à-vis sonic velocity: Sonic Velocity (m/s) Excavation Characteristics Strata excavatable by scrapers, large draglines, shovels or bucket wheel excavators without < 1500 blasting Easy ripping. Slow difficult digging of unblasted strata by dragline, shovel or bucket wheel 1500 - 2000 excavator Slow costly ripping. Light blasting (i.e. large (wide) blast hole patterns, long stemming columns, 2000 - 2500 low powder factors) may be necessary for large draglines, shovels or bucket wheel excavators 2500 - 3000 Light blasting required Heavy blasting is required (i.e. small blast hole patterns, short stemming columns and high > 4500 powder factors)

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 16 March 2018 3. POWDER FACTOR is normally expressed as m3/kg, while for coal, ore and ‘Powder Factor’ is not a technical characteristic or property minerals it is expressed in t/kg. ‘Specific charge’ is the parameter of either explosive or rock. It is just a number or inverse of powder factor - the amount of explosive required ratio denoting weight/quantity (t) or volume (m3) of material for breaking a unit measure of rock (kg/m3 or kg/t). ‘High blasted per kilogram of explosive. It is calculated after the powder factor’ means low specific charge and ‘low powder blast has been carried out. Powder factor in overburden factor’ implies high specific charge.

3.1. What experts say about powder factor: “Powder factor is not normally a sound index upon which to design blasts. The powder factor Prof. R.L. Ash considered relates the yield of material blasted to the quantity of explosive used and will be extremely as the father of modern variable for the different types of rounds, explosive-rock combinations, and burden, spacing, rock blasting said in the and bench height conditions. Higher energy explosives, for example, can break more rock mid-sixties (Ref 1) than can lower energy products - However, other than determining the powder factor for cost purposes, its use as a basis upon which to design blasts is not recommended” “Powder factor selection should recognize downstream costs in both the mine and mill. Improved fragmentation accomplished in blasting not only reduces the workload in crushing and grinding but also improves loading rates and reduces maintenance in the mine – Shovel speeds show a positive relationship to powder factor - The maintenance cost of the shovels is affected by J. Eloranta powder factor. The cost of shovel teeth plus wear materials on buckets improves with higher (Ref 6) powder expenditures – Higher powder factor has the benefit of no increased capital cost for higher productivity of mining and crushing equipment – Increased powder cost is more than offset by electrical savings alone. Overall costs decline while shovel and crusher productivity rise by about 5% when powder factor rises by 15%” “Undue importance has been (and often still is) placed on powder factor (i.e. the weight of explosive per unit quantity of rock) as a design criterion in blasting. Powder factor is a statistical Mercer. J.K and Hagan. figure or a performance factor, calculated after one or more blasts. It is definitely not an accurate T.N (Ref 12) design factor – It is preferable to consider the energy factor (i.e. the amount of explosives energy that is required to break a unit quantity of rock) rather than powder factor as a blast design criterion” “One of the mining companies goes by the ‘guaranteed powder factor’ leaving the choice about the type and quantity of explosive to the manufacturer. This method also considers nothing but the price of explosives in terms of powder factor. This system does not account for the loading and hauling cost due to boulder generation. The most serious drawback with the existing system is that it gives too much importance to the cost of explosives National Institute of Rock alone which is against the basic definition of optimum blasting - Very little attempts are made Mechanics (Ref 15) to evaluate the performance of explosives for a given condition – Until now the mine operators in India have concentrated their efforts on minimizing the direct cost of explosives without fully realizing the importance of blasting on overall cost of production. In most of the mines, the cost of drilling and blasting can be worked out but the costs for the subsequent operations like loading, hauling and crushing are not known”

3.2. Powder factors (specific charge) required and few assessment methods are given below. 3.2.1. Powder factor based on rock strength description and ultimate compressive strength: Ultimate Compressive Strength Rock Type Powder Factor kg/m3 (MPa) Hard (high strength) 50 - 100 0.70 – 0.80 Medium (medium strength) 25 - 30 0.40 – 0.50 Soft (low strength) 5 - 25 0.25 – 0.35 Very Soft (very low strength) 1 - 5 0.15 – 0.25 Dyno Nobel (Ref 5) & Mohamed (Ref 14)

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 17 March 2018 3.2.2. Powder factor requirement - Scale of rocks on the basis of blastability. Explosive Rock Category Consumption kg/m3 for normal crushing 1 Soft clay, Heavy clay, Morainic clay, Slate clay, Heavy loam, Coarse grit 3-4 0.30 – 0.50 Marl, Brown coal, Gypsum, Tuff, Pumice stone, Anthracite, Soft limestone, 5-6 0.35 – 0.55 2 Diatomite Clayey sandstone, Conglomerate, Hard clay shale, Marly limestone, 3 Anhydrite, Micaceous shale 7-8 0.45 – 0.60 Granites, Gneisses, Synites, Limestone, Sandstone, Siderite, Magnesite, 4 Dolomite, Marble 9-10 0.60 – 0.70 Coarse grained granite, Serpentine, Audisite, Basalt, Weathered gneiss, 5 Trachyte 11-12 0.70 – 0.75 Hard gneiss, Diabase, Porphyrite, Trachyte, Granite-gneiss, Diorite, 6 Quartz 13-14 0.85 Andesite, Basalt, Hornfels, Hard diabase, Diorite, Gabbro, Gabbro 15-16 0.90 7 diabase Lowest category has minimum strength Dr. S Bhandari (Ref 4)

3.2.3. ‘Blastability Index’ concept was mooted Lilly (Ref 9) Powder Factor Energy Factor Blastability Index who suggested the formula: (kg/t) (MJ/t) Blastability Index BI = 0.5 (RMD + JPS + JPO + SGI + H) where, 20 0.08 0.45 - RMD (Rock Mass Description): Powdery / Friable = 10, 40 0.16 0.60 Blocky = 20, Totally Massive = 50 60 0.25 0.95 - JPO (Joint Plane Orientation): Horizontal = 10, Dip out 80 0.325 1.20 of face = 20, Strike normal to face = 30, - - Dip into face = 40. 100 0.40 1.50 - JPS (Joint Plane Spacing): Close - < 0.1 m=10, 3.2.4. Powder factor requirement based on blastability class, Intermediate - 0.1 to 1.0 m=20, Wide - > 1 m=50 rock impedance and rock mass integrity co-efficient: - Specific Gravity Influence (SGI): SGI = (25 x SG) – 50 - Hardness (H): H = 1 to 10 (on Moh’s Scale)

Lilly (Ref 10) subsequently replaced H with UCS/20 where t/m3 Density (kg/m3) UCS is uniaxial compressive strength in megapascals (MPa). pedance of Blastability Powder Factor Factor Powder rity co-efficient Rock wave im - wave Rock Characterization Blastability Class Rock mass Integ - Rock SGI was renamed as Rock Density Influence (RDI). Kg/ m3 x m/s 106 I < 2 < 3 < 1.5 Very Easy < 0.35 The blastability index value is 20 for soft friable shale and 100 0.15 – 0.35 – for extremely hard, iron rich cap rock, massive in nature and II 2.0-2.4 3-6 Easy having density of 4t/m3. From the nomogram of blastability 0.35 0.45 index vs. powder factor and energy factor suggested by the 2.4- 0.35 – 0.45 – III 6-9 Moderate author, the following information is generated. The powder 2.75 0.55 0.65 factor (kg/t) is with AN-FO explosive. The energy factor value 0.55 – 0.65 – IV 2.75-3 9-12 Difficult can be considered if some other type of explosive is used 0.75 0.90 whose energy value is known. ANFO energy from various V > 3 > 12 > 0.75 Very Difficult > 0.90 published sources vary from 884 to 930 kilo calories/kg and normally taken as 912 kcal/kg. Xiao et al. (Ref 20)

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 18 March 2018 Rock mass integrity co-efficient = (P-wave velocity of rock explosive: rock combination, increases in charge factor mass/P-wave velocity of rock)2 (kg/t or kg/m3) or reduction in powder factor (t/kg or m3/kg), results in finer fragmentation and more movement (throw). It can be seen from above that materials have various Commercial explosives currently available have a density parameters of assessment, requiring different powder factors range between 0.85 to 1.20 g/cc, VOD between 3000 to and hence it is unscientific to assign a single powder factor for 5500 m/sec and weight energy (strength) in the range of an entire mine. The powder factor values mentioned above 700-1050 kilo calories/kg (or calories/gram). is only a guideline for blasting operations and should be fine-tuned with field observations and practical experience Bench heights are statutorily governed by the loading for the rock type and explosive in use. machine’s maximum reach. Hydraulic shovels and Back- hoes have lesser reach compared to rope shovels. It is 3.3. Blasted Powder Factor and Excavated Powder Factor observed in some mines that large diameter drill holes are Powder factor is normally analyzed blast-wise by calculating used in shallow benches. This results in a mis-match. The the in-situ volume or tonnage blasted and quantity of manufacturers often have to contend with the operating explosive used. The block volume: Length x Width x Height bench height and the drill machine deployed to achieve their is measured and calculated. H is bench height and not drill quoted GPF. Explosive charged to achieve GPF at times hole depth which might include sub-grade drilling. Large occupies just 1.5-2.0 m column length in drill holes of 6-8 surface coal mines probably reported the average powder m depth and the remaining space occupied by stemming. This results in poor fragmentation and generates lot of large factor achieved by dividing the total volume of overburden boulders after the blast. handled by the total quantity of consumed during a month. Often, this gave very unrealistic values (high figures) since 4.1. Good fragmentation and loose muck piles are achieved overburden ‘handled’ during the month included quantities by using: directly removed by excavator without blasting (such as top soil and soft strata present in surface benches), overburden a) Proper blast geometry, blast design and accurate “re-handled” by draglines and actual blasted overburden drill patterns. Placement of drill holes in front row is volume. important considering undulations and non-uniformity of bench face. It is essential to assess crest and toe 3.4. Guaranteed Powder Factor burdens during drilling and while charging explosives, Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) sought by public sector before a blast. undertakings (PSU) engaged in mining of coal include a b) Stronger (higher energy) explosive, higher specific clause for manufacturers to quote a ‘guaranteed powder charge, charging full column without decks viz maximum factor’ (GPF) which will be achieved through the use of their utilization of drill hole. Inert deck to be provided only if explosive product. Based on the experience gained while local geology warrants. Splitting the explosive column monitoring the GPF achieved by all suppliers in all mines into two or three decks using stemming material should during the validity / tenure, the NIT conditions are modified be considered only under special circumstances such / refined with a view to make it more objective. One mining as drill holes intersecting weak bands, open joints, company sought ‘bench-wise GPF’ in the NIT. The complexity cracks or for initiating the decks on different delay firing and enormity of monitoring bench-wise: supplier-wise GPFs times for reducing maximum charge per delay during probably made them to re-seek mine-wise GPF in their later the blast for ground vibration control. NITs. A ‘penalty’ is levied on the supplier if quoted GPF is c) Adequate priming for complete detonation (maximum not achieved, while suppliers who achieve powder factor explosive energy release) and explosive charged in higher than GPF are rewarded. drill hole not affected by water, hydrostatic and dynamic (shock) pressures. 4. FRAGMENTATION d) Blast initiation systems that do not cause stemming Fragmentation in a blast is the outcome of interactions ejection, provide precise drill hole firing times and true between a number of static, dynamic and kinetic parameters bottom hole initiation. Shock tube based non-electric of the material being blasted and detonation of explosive. detonators and fully field programmable electronic Several factors contribute to good blast results. Strata detonators are two options available to the user. conditions remaining same, smaller diameter drill holes e) Providing desired delay time between drill holes in a generate smaller fragments due to lower burdens and the row (along spacing) and between rows (across burden). average fragment size progressively becomes coarser as Initiation sequence used also affects fragmentation the drill hole diameter increases. Similarly, for the same significantly.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 19 March 2018 4.2. Poor fragmentation and tight muck piles in primary f) Change in burden with respect to bench height has blasts are mainly due to: significant effect on rock fragmentation. Therefore, a) Incorrect blast geometry and blast design. the stiffness (bench height to burden ratio) value of less than 2 gives coarser fragmentation and the best b) Use of large diameter drill holes in shallow benches – optimum value was around 3. mis-match of drill hole diameter and bench height. c) Low bench height to burden ratio (stiffness ratio) of 2 5. Optimization of Operations and Total Cost Concept and below. Enterprises engaged in mining and excavation need to keep d) Increasing burden distance beyond a limit with same a tab on the total cost of their operations which includes drill hole diameter. The strain wave is unable to generate drilling, blasting, loading, hauling and crushing if applicable the desired crack network (fractures) in the extended in their operations. Some coal mines use ‘in-pit crushing’ of rock mass and the subsequent gas energy is unable to the blasted overburden before being dumped using conveyor do its work of displacing the burden effectively. belts. In case of mining of ores, crushing and grinding are essential activities to extract the metal. For manufacture of e) Use of low strength (weak) explosive, low specific cement, blasted limestone also goes through the process of charge and poor distribution of explosive in drill hole crushing and grinding. Characterization of the strata (rock (low explosive charge column length in relation to drill mass) being excavated is very essential for optimizing the hole depth). It is prudent to utilize the drill hole fully blast parameters, as well as the ‘mine-to-mill’ optimization with explosive column as per blast geometry design process. guidelines. f) Inadequate delay interval between drill holes along In a cost reduction initiative, Managers look to reduce drilling spacing and inadequate delay across burden. The latter and blasting costs by increasing powder factors (t/kg or m3/ is more critical as desired free face is not created and kg) – by using expanded drill patterns (burden & spacing) is often the main reason for poor fragmentation, tight and reducing explosive charge in drill hole, using cheaper muck piles, flyrock generation, higher ground vibration (less strength) explosive or less expensive initiation system. levels, toe formation and venting of explosive energy Unless monitored expeditiously, the negative effects of cost through stemming ejection (blow out) which causes air reduction in primary blasts such as poor fragmentation, blast noise and results in reduced throw. generation of boulders which require secondary blasting, tight muck piles leading to hard digging conditions and low 4.3. Many of the aspects listed above have been corroborated bucket fill factors, excessive toe formation and rise in floor in a study carried out by CIMFR at Nigahi Project of Northern levels requiring corrective secondary blasting, side break, Coalfields Ltd and Sonepur Bazari Project of Eastern back break often go unnoticed and in reality increases Coalfields Limited. Following are the conclusions reported the cost of operations. Use of excessive burdens cause (Singh et al Ref 18): flyrock and increased ground vibration (PPV) and airblast (dB) levels. In most optimization programmes, drilling and a) Optimum blasting should comprise the generation of blasting costs should not be compromised but supplemented fragment size distribution with suitable muck pile optimal to achieve better fragmentation and loose muck piles so for loading, which should improve the downstream that downstream activities (loading, hauling, crushing) goes operations. on efficiently and total operation cost comes down. In ore b) Mean fragment particle size increases with the increase mining, value addition through increased metal recovery in the burden to hole diameter ratio. This increase and profitability from prevailing metal price is considered in was mainly due to the increase in burden as the hole the mine-to-mill optimization. diameter was kept constant. c) Mean fragment size and index of uniformity (n) of 5.1. Cascading effects of poor fragmentation and tight muck the blasted muck decreases with the increase in the piles cause: spacing to burden ratio. The optimum value of spacing a) Severe strain on loading machines causing increased to burden ratio in most of the blasts ranges from 1.1 to wear and tear. 1.3 and it resulted into excellent fragmentation. b) More frequent breakdowns – example: shovel rope d) Stemming length to burden ratio was plotted against breakage, bucket teeth breakage. mean fragment size and the general trend shows that c) Poor fill factor of loading machine bucket – more loading mean fragment size of fragmented rock decreases with cycles per dumper. the decrease of stemming length to burden ratio. d) Loading machines waste time segregating boulders e) As anticipated, the increase in the charge/powder factor resulting in reduced productivity, dumpers remain idle will increase the rock fragmentation level i.e. decrease for longer time and higher turn-around time causing the mean fragment size of the rock. poor utilization of dumpers.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 20 March 2018 e) Big boulders reduce carrying capacity leading to low k) Higher energy cost (power / fuel). hauling efficiency / productivity. f) Damage to dumper body caused by huge / heavy 6. ‘MINE-TO-MILL’ / ‘DRILL-TO-MILL’ OPTIMIZATION boulders. The ‘mine-to-mill’ concept was inspired by former JKMRC (Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Australia) g) Boulders can roll off the dumper onto haul road and Director Professor Don McKee, who realized in the early become a potential safety hazard. 1990s that significant economic benefits could accrue from h) Where crushing is involved, poor efficiency of crushers optimizing the fragmentation of rock or coal from the mine to due to large fragments. Large fragments also cause the requirements of the concentrator or preparation plant. 10- frequent jams in crusher chute. 15% improvement in throughput was achieved with minimal i) Severe wear and tear of crusher parts and frequent cost increase and without any capital expenditure. (Ref 13: breakdowns. Mining Weekly web copy October 2001). Few excerpts on j) Increased cost of maintenance, spares and repairs mine-to-mill concept are given below: (loaders, dumpers and crusher).

Firm / Individual Observations on Mine-To-Mill Optimization Blasting is the first stage of comminution in most mining and should not be seen solely as a means of reducing rock size enough to load it on a truck. The Run-of-Mine (ROM) Metso Corporation, a Finland, size distribution has a large impact on the performance of downstream crushing and based consultancy firm. grinding processes. The in-situ ore properties, drill blast pattern, and properties of the Information from company web explosive govern the size distribution of rocks produced from a blast and the energy site. efficiency of the blast. The aim is to produce a consistent ROM size distribution that will maximize the throughput and efficiency of comminution in the subsequent crushing and grinding operations. Mine-To-Mill Optimization: Effect Of Feed Size On Mill Throughput- Over the past 15 years, mine-to-mill studies have focused attention on the impact blast fragmentation has on concentrator throughput. Blasting provides the first opportunity for comminution – or size reduction. It is also a cheaper and more efficient process, SRK Consulting, Canada based compared to both crushing and grinding - Blast fragmentation can strongly affect mill consultancy firm. Information throughput – particularly for autogenous or semi-autogenous grinding circuits. Finer from company web site. blast fragmentation can increase mill throughput by 20 to 30% or reduce the specific energy requirements (kW per tph) by 30%. Although changes in blasting practices can increase drill and blast costs by up to 50%, they can reduce mill operating costs by as much as 4 to 10 times. Mine-to-Mill, as the name implies, is the holistic approach to mining and mineral Greg Adel, Toni Kojovic Darren processing. The entire operation is taken into account, from blasting to comminution, Thornton June 2006 - in order to optimize the size reduction process. Mine-to-Mill optimization has been Mine-to-Mill Optimization of successfully applied in gold, copper, and lead/zinc operations throughout the world Aggregate Production Semi- producing increases in throughput from 5 – 18% and cost reductions in the neighborhood Annual Report No. 4 of 10%. The Mine-to-Mill approach attempts to minimize energy consumption through the optimization of all steps in the size reduction process.

Though mine-to-mill was developed keeping metal extraction results in primary blasts and causes-effects of bad blasts from ores which involves crushing and grinding, the basic have been discussed in detail. The comments of experts concepts can also be adapted in other mines up to ROM. on drilling and blasting, powder factor, fragmentation have been extracted for the benefit of the reader. 7. DISCUSSIONS The site engineer has to contend with on a daily basis, the The blasting engineers / mines have at their disposal a complex nature of the uncontrollable parameter viz geology. number of inputs (controllable) to meet the challenges The broad range and description of material properties and of the one complex variable field parameter viz geology powder factors suggested for breaking various types of (uncontrollable). Atlas Powder Company (Ref 2) has listed materials have been enumerated. Benefits of achieving good the following as uncontrollable and controllable parameters:

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 21 March 2018 UNCONTROLLABLE CONTROLLABLE (for use in blasting)

Geology Hole diameter Bench height No. of free faces

Material Strengths / Properties Hole depth Pattern Buffers

Structural discontinuities Sub-drill depth Burden : Spacing ratio Explosive type

Weather conditions Hole inclination Blast configuration Explosive energy

Water (sometimes controllable) Collar height Blasting direction Charge geometry

Stemming height Initiating system Loading method

Stemming material Initiating sequence Water (Sometimes uncontrollable)

7.1 Impact of bad blasts may not be discernible in the management. It would be beneficial for mining short term since powerful loading machines with large companies to use new products, innovations and buckets are able to handle without difficulty large techniques. fragments and tight muck piles for direct dispatch to 7.5 Modern drills have Global Positioning System (GPS), overburden dumps. However, it would be prudent to hole location capabilities, rock recognition software, regularly carry out audits, time and motion studies of auto collaring and in some cases, auto drilling. Rock the loading-hauling cycles. Keeping track of downtime recognition software enables information from the of machineries due to breakdowns, repairs, cost software in the drills to be fed into the blast design of consumables and energy consumed are other program. The type and amount of explosive for each drill indicators to assess good and bad blasts. hole comes from the design program and sent directly 7.2 Draglines require well fragmented but stacked up muck to the GPS enabled fully automated ‘Mobile Processing pile with less movement. Rope shovels and hydraulic Unit (MPU) for loading bulk explosives. As the MPU excavators require a high, swelled muck pile, while front positions over each hole, desired type and quantity end loaders have to be provided with a well spread out of explosive is automatically loaded as per the design and flat muck pile. In cast blasting, overburden needs (Timbrel et al Ref 19). Pre-blast laser profiling of bench to be directly thrown over de-coaled area. These are face for accurate positioning of front row drill holes and achieved through the judicious use of blast design, high speed videography analysis of blasts are being used extensively. Videography of blasts using camera explosives selection, drill hole pattern, drill hole firing mounted on drones is a new innovation introduced times, initiation sequence and powder factor. Specific recently. ‘Measure While Drilling’ (MWD) feature on drill charge (kg/m3) for each type of requirement increases machines is a tool that provides a detailed instant log incrementally in the same sequence as above, being of the type of strata the drill is passing through and the the least for dragline blasts and highest for cast data linked to the blast design and explosive loading blasting. software. 7.3 ‘Mine-To-Mill’ concept monitors the operations in 7.6 Many of the new innovations supplement and in some totality - effect of ROM fragmentation on the crushing, cases eliminate the dependence on human judgment grinding and up to extraction of metal. While the and skill. concept is relevant to mining of ores and minerals 7.7 The ‘energy factor’ referred in the text requires such as limestone, the optimization concepts can be understanding. Explosive’s weight energy is expressed adapted for monitoring the activities of in-pit crushing as calorie per gram, kilo calorie per kilogram or of overburden and in coal preparation-handling plants. megajoule (MJ) per kilogram. Energy factor is the 7.4 Blasting technology and understanding-assessing amount of explosion energy required to break a explosive performance has advanced considerably unit weight or volume of material being blasted and during the last two decades. Sophisticated expressed as MJ/t or MJ/m3. All field conditions instrumentation, measuring and monitoring methods remaining the same, a higher energy product will result are in use. Computers are being used for a number in better fragmentation and throw (muck pile looseness) of applications such as blast design and simulation, compared to a lower energy product. Charge weight fragment size analysis and drill-blast information remaining same, an explosive having higher density

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 22 March 2018 will result in lower charge column length. This will 8. Conclusions result in coarse fragments from the longer uncharged 8.1 ‘Powder Factor’ (PF) is just a ratio denoting the quantity portion, even if higher energy product is used in the (volume or tonnage) of material blasted with 1 kg of blast. Sarathy (Ref 16) has described various methods explosive. It has no relationship with the characteristics used to assess energy of commercial explosives. In of either the material being blasted or the explosive in the Indian context, only few manufacturers having use. Further, it is calculated after the blast as data for a recognized R&D possess the basic expertise to records. Powder factor neither defines nor specifies ascertain the thermo chemical energy of their products the average size of blasted fragments. Geology using computer software or the shock-heave energy by is a complexity and a wide range of parameters underwater (pond) test. Energy calculated for the same and properties are used to assess powder factor explosive formulation using two different computer requirements. It is unscientific to assign a single powder programmes may yield different values. factor for an entire mine where millions of tons of coal are blasted and requiring in the process, excavation of 7.7 Safety could become a matter of concern in the millions of cubic metres of overburden commensurate quest of opencast mines to achieve GPF since use to stripping ratio, during the validity of the tender. of excessive burdens and under-charged drill holes 8.2 In a scenario of escalating costs, mining companies can cause blow-outs, flyrock, high ground vibrations, may feel justified in seeking lowest landed cost per airblast noise and damage to in-situ pit walls resulting ton of explosive from manufacturers and also include in slope stability problems. Poor fragmentation and tight a ‘Guaranteed Powder Factor’ clause in their NIT as muck piles are an added disadvantage during loading a performance guarantee. Emphasis however, should and downstream operations. For achieving the quoted be to achieve good fragmentation, muck pile looseness powder factor in underground coal mines, higher pull and efficient downstream operations. Hence, it is very (advance) has to be achieved and shot holes may essential that the mines have in place an accurate inadvertently get charged with explosive quantity methodology of monitoring the blast results, so that true higher than that permitted under law. This can increase record of the operational efficiency, cost of individual damage to the roof. Slashing the coal from the sides of operations and final costs are generated for analysis. the main gallery (robbing of coal) provides easy coal 8.3 Dictionary defines ‘Progressive’ as “moving forward with less explosive charge (compared to blasting-off- or onward, advancing” or “happening or developing the-solid). This could result in wider galleries exposing gradually or in stages” and ‘Regressive’ as “opposing higher extent of unsupported roof. Apprehensions progress; returning to a former less advanced state”. were also expressed in some quarters that explosive formulations stronger than the approved products may 9. REFERENCES reach the mines for meeting GPF thus endangering 1. Ash. R.L – Design of blasting rounds. Chapter 6.2 Blasting. SME safety in underground coal mines too. Handbook 7.8 Role and awareness of the user – Scott (Ref 17) 2. Atlas Powder Company - Explosives and Rock Blasting feels that user too has a responsibility. “Consumers 3. Bell. F.G - Engineering in Rock Masses. Pub: Butterworth- and manufacturers have quite different roles in the Heinemann Ltd. explosives industry. It is unhealthy for the explosives 4. Bhandari - Engineering Rock Blasting Operations. A.A Balkema / expertise to reside only with the manufacturers. It is Rotterdam / Brookefield, 1997. natural that they will have a leading position in terms of the chemistry and manufacturing techniques but 5. Dyno Nobel - Explosive Engineer’s Guide. 2012. explosives users must take greater responsibility for the 6. Eloranta. J – Selection of powder factor in large diameter application of explosives in their blasting operations. blastholes. Explo’95 Conference, Brisbane, Australia. They have the task of fragmenting rock according to the 7. Hagan. T.N and Gibson. I.M - Using geophysical logs for needs of their mining or construction operations and highwall blast design. Bulletin of the International Association of only they can properly judge whether they are achieving Engineering Geology 1983. their objectives or not. Mine operators have tended to 8. Hustrulid, William - Blasting Principles for Open Pit Mining. regard blasting as a minor, but necessary step in their Volume 1. A.A Balkema / Rotterdam / Brookefield, 1999. production process and have previously been satisfied 9. Lilly. P.A – An empirical method of assessing rock mass blastability. to rely on the explosives suppliers for the provision of Large Open Pit Mining Conference, Australian Institute of Mining the technology and advice. This should continue, but and Metallurgy /IE 1986. from a position of greater technical equality than in the 10. Lilly. P.A – The use of the blastability index in the design of blasts past. Independent professionals have an important and for open pit mines. Western Australian Conference on Mining responsible role to play in supporting both groups” Geomechanics, Kalgoorlie, Australia 1992.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 23 March 2018 11. MacKenzie. A. S – Cost of explosives - do you evaluate it properly? Mining Congress Journal, May 1966. Recognition of MEAI Members as 12. Mercer. J.K and Hagan. T.N – Progress towards optimum blasting National Coordinators by the 36th IGC – a key to increased productivity and profitability. Eleventh Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress, The The Secretary General of 36th International Geological Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Hong Kong 1978. Congress (IGC) in his First Circular issued on February 13. Mining Weekly Web copy - October 2001. 9, 2018 nominated the following National Coordinators 14. Mohamed Fredj, Hafsaoui. A, Talhi. K and Menacer. K - Study that are Life Members of MEAI. of the powder factor in surface bench blasting. World Multi- disciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium 2015. Dr PV Rao, Editor, MEJ 15. National Institute of Rock Mechanics (N.I.R.M) - Evaluation Theme: “Advances in Mineral Resource evaluation and of explosives performance through in-hole detonation velocity mine planning” measurements. S&T Project Final Report. August 2001. Mr YG Kale, RCoM, IBM & Mr Pankaj Satija, GM (OMQ), 16. Sarathy. M.O - Bench blast design using explosive and rock properties – a discussion. Mining Engineers’ Journal (MEAI), Tata Steel March 2017. Theme: “Sustainable development and mining” 17. Scott. A – Explosives performance – who needs to know? Third International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting Dr TN Singh, IIT, Bombay (Fragblast), Brisbane, Australia, 1990. Theme: “Geotechnical Engineering and Rock 18. Singh. P.K, Roy. M.P, Drebenstedt. C and Prasad. B - Blast design Mechanics” parameters and their impact on rock fragmentation. Eleventh International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting The IGC, which was founded in 1876, is the pre- (Fragblast), Sydney, Australia, 2015. eminent global geoscience congress – it provides a 19. Timbrell Stephen, Pratt Laurie and Codd William – Safety and forum for presenting scientific results across the whole efficiency drive technical advances in drill and blast. Drilling and spectrum of the geosciences, facilitates the holding of Blasting Bulletin. October 2014. business meetings, encourages international networking 20. Xiao Shuangshuang, Li Kemin, Ding Xiaohua & Liu Tong - Rock and provides the opportunity to study geological features mass Blastability classification using Fuzzy Pattern Recognition of interest through field trips. Each IGC has had its own and the combination Weight Method. 2015 Mathematical Problems flavour and features, reflecting the circumstances in the in Engineering Volume. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. host region and what it sees as important for such a large and prestigious event. (Due to space limitations, some more relevant information could not nd be included in the paper. Interested readers may request the author by India had the privilege of organizing the 22 session of e-mail for the same – [email protected]) IGC at New Delhi in 1964. This was the first IGC in Asia. Thus, the IGC is returning to Indian subcontinent after a gap of 56 years. New Auditorium of MEAI The event theme is "Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Future". As has been highlighted elsewhere, MEAI now 36th IGC is a Government of India funded project under has a modern air conditioned Auditorium equipped the aegis of Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Earth with acoustics, audio – visual facilities and also Sciences. Geological Survey of India is the Nodal agency infrastructure such as toilets, store room, pantry for organizing this conference with active support of Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the support of and dining space at MEAI Headquarters office, science academies of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Mining Engineers’ Association of India, F-608, VI Sri Lanka. Organizing this event envisages support and Floor, 'A' Block, Raghava Ratna Towers, Chirag- cooperation from all geoscientific organizations, institutes and geoscientists of India and Indian sub-continent. Ali-Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500 001, Telangana. This Auditorium facility is open to academic and India, along with its co-host neighboring countries viz., Bangladesh, Nepal, Srilanka & Pakistan won the bid education purpose on a nominal fee. The members to host the 36th International Geological Congress in and the organizations in their contact may use National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi from 2nd - 8th the auditorium for the said purpose. For further March, 2020. information, please contact facility.meai@gmail. If there is one place on the face of the earth where all the com / Phone: 040-23200510. dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it Secretary General, MEAI is India - Romain Rolland.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 24 March 2018 (Continued from Page 9) include remote operations centres, connected mobile devices and wearables. the grant of mining leases as the policy was made available in the public domain and suggestions invited. Mining operations are geographically dispersed, and The policy proposed to introduce Section 10B by way the ability to aggregate accurate data and share it of an amendment to the MMDR Act and the proposed amendment made it very clear that if it were to be across the enterprise in real-time can facilitate better accepted, auction of mining leases in respect of notified mine planning, collaboration and decision-making. minerals would become a reality if not an obligation. It Connected worker technologies such as mobile appears that to circumvent this rather uncomfortable devices and wearables make this possible. By equipping policy, the state pressed the accelerator on the renewal the mining workforce with connected, intelligent of mining leases from December 2014 onward to wearables and mobile devices such as tablets, wearable benefit mining lease holders," the bench said. glasses and watches, mine management can benefit from on-demand access to critical information in real Holding that mining lease holders violated virtually time. every applicable law or legal requirement, the bench raised question on why even the Ministry of Environment Some examples include operator usage of a tablet to and Forest had overlooked it while giving environment record shift tasks and progress, instead of multiple clearances to them. It said that MoEF acted in a paper-based entries that are prone to manual errors. mechanical manner without "any application of mind". Mobile-based data collection allows for quick validation It said that there was no social or public purpose and distribution of production data across key attached to the mining operations in the state as entire personnel like mine supervisors and managers, and ore extracted was to be exported to China and Japan makes possible a real-time response to issues that and it was not meant for domestic consumption. It said could affect production. By detecting deviations from that there was one and only one objective behind the mining activity and that was profit maximization. The expected operating standards in real time and driving renewal of the mining leases would give considerable rapid and focused operational improvements, miners profits to the mining lease holders well beyond the can significantly reduce downtime and drive higher benefits that could accrue to the state or to the average process efficiencies. Tablets can also be used to track resident of Goa. the precise location of equipment through integration with a GPS transponder. This helps optimize current "Unfortunately, the undue haste in which the State acted shifts and plan upcoming shifts. gives the impression that it was willing to sacrifice the rule of law for the benefit of the mining lease holders The use of wearables has a real opportunity to boost and the explanation of satisfying the needs of some safety throughout the industry. IoT-linked wearables sections of society for their livelihood (after keeping in mining such as helmets and caps can be used to them in the lurch for more than two years) was a mere examine the biological condition of workers, particularly fig leaf. The real intention of the second renewal was to truck drivers and machine operators who are at a risk satisfy the avariciousness of the mining lease holders from fatigue-related injuries. Smart watches can be who were motivated by profits to be made through the used to indicate a worker’s GPS location in the event of exploitation of natural resources," the court said. The an emergency, thereby aiding rescue operations. Other bench said that state government should have auction intelligent wearables can monitor and communicate the leases and it sacrificed maximizing revenue for environmental conditions such as air quality and the no apparent positive reason and surrendering itself to the commercial and profit making motives of private presence of toxic fumes, and trigger alarms if a hazard companies, ignoring the interests of Goan society in is detected. general. According to a report by the World Economic Forum on Amit Anand Choudhary, TNN | Feb 8, 2018 Digital Transformation in the Mining and Metals Industry, connected worker technologies are expected to have ä Digital Innovation in Mining- The Digitally Driven a significant impact on efficiency, costs and workforce Mining Workforce safety. The potential value addition for the mining Mobile technologies have been at the core of innovative industry stands at ~$59 billion from 2016 – 2025. A solutions that drive productivity improvements across vast majority of this value will come via improvements many industries, and mining is no exception. The ubiquity of connectivity, coupled with the rapid proliferation of in mining workforce productivity since activities can mobile devices and considerable advances in their be performed in a more targeted and efficient way capabilities, has helped mining companies introduce based on real-time data. The same report estimates digitally enabled ways of working. Connected mobility that ~22,000 injuries will be avoided through the use of can empower field, remote and centralized mining connected intelligent devices from 2016 – 2025. workforce in real time. Key technologies in this space Benjamin Niju, LinkedIn | January 29, 2018

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 25 March 2018 MINING TODAY 2018 International Conference-cum-Exhibition, 14-17 February 2018, Hyderabad

Mining Today 2018, an International Conference-cum-Exhibition and India have attended and presented their esteemed papers on was held from 14-17 February 2018 in HITEX Exhibition Centre, above subjects. The paradigm of technical papers, deliberations Hyderabad. The mega event was jointly organized by Mining and panel discussions were very much relevant to the concept & Engineers Association of India (MEAI) and Federation of Indian event profile focusing on policy, machinery and technology transfer. Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) supported by The proceedings during international conference were highly Government of India and State Government of Telangana. appreciated by speakers, delegates, exhibitors and visitors. On 14.02.2018, the inauguration of Mining Today 2018 was held In the exhibition, 88 entities viz., Private companies, Central & State at 4.00 PM in HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The inaugural Public Sector units, Central & State Government Departments have function was graced by Sri ESL Narasimhan, His Excellency participated. There was display and dissemination of information/ Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as Chief Guest; Sri data by granite industry, machinery, equipment, cement, quartz Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, & feldspar, mineral samples etc. Delegates, speakers & visitors Panchayath Raj & Mines, Government of India as Special Guest have thronged the exhibition on all three days i.e., 15-17 February and Sri K.T. Rama Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, 2018 and appreciated the presentation of mineral based products, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & machinery etc by the exhibitors. Commerce, Public Enterprises, Sugar, Mines & Geology and NRI On 16.02.2017, Valedictory function was held at 4.30 PM in HITEX Affairs as Distinguished Guest. Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The valedictory function was graced Sri Seri Subhash Reddy, Chairman, Telangana State Mineral by Sri Jogu Ramanna, Hon’ble Minister of Forests, Environment & Development Corporation Ltd (A State Government unit); Sri Arun BC Welfare as Chief Guest; Sri G Jagadish Reddy, Hon’ble Minister Kumar IAS, Union Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of of Energy, SC Development as Special Guest. India; Sri Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary & Commissioner Dignitaries on the dais were Sri BRV Susheel Kumar, Director Industrial Promotion, Industries & Commerce Dept. Government of of Mines & Geology, Chairman, MEAI Hyderabad Chapter and Telangana attended as Guests of Honour. Chairman, Mining Today 2018 and Dr N.K. Nanda, Director Other dignitaries on the dais were Sri Arun Kumar Kothari, (Technical) NMDC and FICCI. Dr V N Vasudeva, Mineral Resource President MEAI; Sri BRV Susheel Kumar, Director of Mines & Consultant presented the recommendations on the deliberations, Geology, Chairman, MEAI Hyderabad Chapter and Chairman, discussions & panel discussion pertains to eight technical sessions Mining Today 2018; Sri Dilip Chenoy, Director General, FICCI. held on 15th & 16th February 2018. In the inaugural function on 14.02.2018, the attendance including The Chief Guest and Special Guest have presented Mementos VIPs, Special Invitees, Dignitaries, Delegates, Exhibitors, Visitors to the exhibitors selected as best in display, presentation and and public was more than 1500. dissemination of information viz., 1st price to M/s.Singareni Colleries Co.Ltd; 2nd price to National Mineral Development Corporation Sri A.K.Kothari presented Welcome Address and Sri BRV Susheel under Govt./Public Sector categories and 1st price to M/s.Gayathri Kumar presented Key Note Address on Mining Today 2018. The Group and 2nd price to M/s.Ram Dev Baba Granites and consolation Chief Guest, the Special Guest and the Distinguished Guest price to M/s.InSmart Systems under private category. With the addressed the august gathering and expressed their views on the valedictory function, the International Conference concluded on concept & profile of Mining Today 2018 and its importance for mining 16.02.2018. In the valedictory function, the attendance including sector in today’s overseas scenario. The Guests & Dignitaries on VIPs, Special Invitees, Dignitaries, Delegates, Exhibitors, Visitors the dais lighted the lamp and His Excellency, the Governor declared and public was more than 1000. the mega event Mining Today 2018, International Conference-cum- Exhibition as opened. On 17.02.2018, the exhibition was open for general public. As the event was first of its kind held in the newly formed State of On 15.02.2018 and 16.02.2018, the International Conference Telangana, the visitors appreciated the way the exhibition was was held wherein total eight sessions were organized viz., (1) organized with display & presentation of granite & dimensional Mineral Exploration; (2) Mining Technology; (3) Overseas Mining stones, mineral samples, machinery, equipment etc. Policy & Technology; (4) Mineral Concessions & Legislation; (5) Environment; (6) Mineral Economics, Financing & Investments; The Mining Today 2018, International Conference-cum-Exhibition (7) Atomic Minerals, Beach Sands, River Sands & Crushed Stone held on grand-scale was well appreciated by the Chief Guest, the Sands and (8) Sustainable Framework & Prospective Mineral Special Guest, the Distinguished Guest, Guest of Honor, Dignitaries, Scenario with Special Focus on Telangana State. The Special Special Invitees, Delegates, Speakers, Authors, Visitors, Media etc Invitees and Speakers from Australia, USA, Canada, South Africa and the event concluded elegantly on 17.02.2018.

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 26 March 2018 Mining Today 2018 - Glimpses

Commencement of the Inaugural Meet on 14 Feb 2018

Lighting of the lamp at Inaugural Meet on 14 Feb 2018 by Shri KT Rama Rao, Hon'ble Minister for Mines, MAUD, PR, IT

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 27 March 2018 Mining Today 2018 - Glimpses

Release of Souvenir 14 Feb 2018

US delegate in Technical Session on 15 Feb 2018

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 28 March 2018 Mining Today 2018 - Glimpses

H.E. ESL Narsimhan lighting the lamp in inaugural meet Lighting of the lamp on on 14 Feb 2018 by Shri Jayesh on 14 Feb 2018 accompanied by Shri N.S. Tomar, Hon'ble Ranjan, CIP, I&C and IT as Shri Arun Kumar, Secretary, Minister for RDPR and Mines and Shri KT Rama Rao Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India is extreme right

Keynote address on 14 Feb 2018 by Panoramic view of delegates at Inaugural Meet Shri B.R.V. Susheel Kumar, Director M & G, Govt. of TS on 14 Feb 2018

HEMM on display at Outdoor Exhibition View of the Indoor Exhibition on 15 Feb 2018 on 15 Feb 2018

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 29 March 2018 Mining Today 2018 - Glimpses

Dignitaries of the Valedictory meeting visiting the Dignitaries at Valedictory Meet. Dr. N.K. Nanda, ShriBRV Susheel indoor exhibition on 16 Feb 2018 Kumar, Shri Jogu Ramanna and Shri Jagadesh Reddy, Hon'ble Ministers of Telangana, Shri Subhash Reddy, TSMDC Chairman and Dr. K. Vinod Kumar of NRSC.

Organising Team alongwith Hon'ble Ministers of Telangana State on 16 Feb 2018

Cultural Evening on 15 Feb 2018

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 30 March 2018 MEAI NEWS MEAI HEAD QUARTERS Secretary-cum-Treasurer MEAI proposed vote of thanks. MEAI headquarters at Hyderabad has acquired a new (Photographs in Page No. 35) premise (unit no.609) for use as a refurbished office. The existing office premises in unit no.608 was remodelled into a Bengaluru Chapter grand auditorium with modern facilities like acoustics, stage The Chapter held a Workshop on ‘Minor Minerals Legislation: and seating. The refurbished office premises and the new The Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994- auditorium were inaugurated and dedicated in the service Provisions and Procedures’ on Saturday, 20th January 2018 of the mining profession and the Nation on Wednesday 24th at EDC Conference Hall, SJP Complex, Bengaluru-560001. Jan, 2018. Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, More than 100 delegates attended it from various minor Government of Telangana, was the Chief Guest on this minerals industries and from NMDC, Mysore Minerals Ltd., occasion. Department of Mines and Geology, Karnataka. The event was hosted by Puzzolana Machinery and Fabricators, On this memorable occasion several Council Members, Past- Hyderabad and their dealers Trade Vision, Bengaluru; Presidents and Special Invitees guests and MEAI Members Turbovent Industries Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru (manufacturers of were present in large number. After lighting of the lamp to Promix, crafted plaster sand) and sponsored by NMDC. start the solemn occasion Dr.H.Sarvothaman, Secretary General welcomed the guests in his welcome address. Sri Mr. R. Veeramani, Chairman, Gem Group of Companies, B. R. V. Susheel Kumar, Director Mines & Geology, Govt. Chennai and President, CAPEXIL, Kolkata was the Chief of Telangana and Chairman, MEAI Hyderabad Chapter Guest. Dr. T.N. Venugopal, Chairman, Bengaluru Chapter addressed the gathering as one of the Guests of Honour. He presided over the function. Mr. Dhanajaya G Reddy, Vice- pledged support to MEAI headquarters activities. Dr. N.K. Chairman of the Chapter welcomed the participants. Mr. R.H. Nanda (Director Technical) NMDC Ltd &Guest of Honour, Sawkar gave a backdrop of the Workshop. He narrated the in this address appreciated the activities of the mining use of stones from times immemorial, citing the examples professionals in the service of the Nation. Sri I. Gopi Nath of Gomateshwara and various other ancient monuments (Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs) the India cements, and temples. He also mentioned about the great Vidhana Hyderabad, also a Guest of Honour, recalled the services Soudha building in Bengaluru. of the mining profession and also assured his support to MEAI. Sri Arun Kumar Kothari, President MEAI, spoke at Mr. R. Veeramani spoke at length on the saga of his career, length about the need of MEAI headquarters newly acquired which he had to endure in granite and stone industry for space for effective functioning. He appreciated the Building a number of years. A once successful advocate at Madras Committee’s efforts in realising the dream of possessing High Court, he passionately took to granite industry, had permanent own Auditorium for conducting various activities training in Sweden and later developed granite industry such as seminars, workshops and trainings. The newly in India, which has made a big name in the international designed MEAI Brochure was released during this occasion. scenario. He emphasized that success in life comes On this occasion, the Past-Presidents S/Shri V.S. Rao, Md. from hard work, honesty and by making the best use of Fasihuddin, T. Victor and Dr. V. D. Rajagopal; and Prof B. B. opportunities. Problems are part of this, which have to be Dhar, shared their thoughts on long association with MEAI mitigated and one should work towards the goal of success. and also highlighted how MEAI grew activities over the last He wanted the ‘Indian Capability’, that is what India can 60 years. do, to showcase all over the world. He suggested that the concerned Government authorities should study the policies Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Government implemented in other countries in the arena of stone and of Telangana, the Chief Guest of this occasion had assured granite sector to improve matters in India. in his capacity all possible assistance to MEAI from the Government of Telangana. He said that MEAI needed to Mr. K.R. Krishnamurthy proposed a Vote of Thanks after the make impact on the societal matters like education. He Inaugural Function. also asked the MEAI to rise to all occasions in the Social Responsibilities. Post-inauguration, four Technical Sessions were held, and the faculty consisting of Dr.T.N.Venugopal, Mr.A.R.Vijay Shri M Raju, Retired Director General Geological Survey of Singh (Chartered Accountant), Mr.K.Ravindar (Dy. Director India and Shri P R Tripathi EX-CMD, NMDC Ltd also spoke of Mines Safety, DMS, Bengaluru) and Mr.S.Nayak, (Mining on this occasion and shared their professional experiences Engineer, R&R Cell, Monitoring Committee, DMG) made and association with MEAI. Shri M Chakradhar, Joint their presentations. The sessions covered a wide array of

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 31 March 2018 topics, KMMCR, DMG Permits, Explosive Usage, Royalty, Trade Vision made a 15-minute presentation showcasing DMF, GST, Auctions and Tenders and the Role of DGMS in the machinery that Puzzolana manufactures; the range of mining minor minerals. products has wide applications in M-sand manufacturing. The delegates showed interest in these products. Though Karnataka is the only State in India to have taken up the laudable initiative to formulate MMC Rules, there are a The Feedback forms from 59 delegates were analysed and number of shortcomings, which need to be addressed. After the average rating was 4/5, indicating that the Workshop detailed deliberations, contradictions in amended KMMCR was very good. with the provisions of the Act and other related rules were identified. These will be communicated to the state Mr. N.Rajendran proposed a Vote of Thanks. government through the Director of Mines and Geology.

A section of the delegates Dr.T.N.Venugopal welcoming the Chief Guest Mr. R. Veeramani addressing the gathering. Seated and delegates L to R: Mr. K.R. Krishnamurthy, Dr. T.N. Venugopal, Mr. R.H. Sawkar and Mr. Dhananjaya G Reddy

RAJASTHAN CHAPTER-JAIPUR of the workshop was to find out alternative material to for Republic Day cele- river sand, whose mining has been banned by Honorable brations at Mining Supreme Court recently, leading to stoppage of infra- Welfare Centre, structural development in Rajasthan. Jaipur The 68thRepublic Shri P.C. Bakliwal, Secretary, MEAI Rajasthan Chapter- Day of our nation Jaipur, while welcoming the guests, after lighting the lamp, was celebrated with highlighted the importance of organizing the workshop. The great enthusiasm Chief Guest Shri D.S. Maru briefed the current mining policies by the members of Rajasthan Government related to river sand mining. Shri of MEAI Rajasthan A.K. Kothari, President, MEAI, briefed about the MEAI Chapter-Jaipur at Flag hoisting by Shri R.K. Bakliwal, Patron, MEAI activities and the efforts being made by the Association to its Mining Welfare restore sand mining. Shri Meena detailed the activities and Centre by hoisting of nation’s Tricolor Flag. The flag was problems faced by the DMG due to sand mining. Shri Pawan hoisted by Shri R.K. Bakliwal, Patron, MEAI, Jaipur and the Sharma urged the government officials to extend facilities National Anthem was sung by all members present. The and subsidies required for stone crushing units especially celebration included presentation of two technical talks by for the sand manufacturing and washing, so that zero-waste viz. Dr. M.K. Pandit, former Professor and Head, Department could be achieved. of Geology, Rajasthan University on ‘Climate Change’. And Shri D.K. Saxena, former Director, DGMS, on mine safety The pre-lunch technical Session was chaired by Dr M.K. management. Pandit, former Professor, Department of Geology, Rajasthan University, and co-chaired by Dr. A.K. Grover, former, Dy. WORKSHOP ON RIVER SANDS – PRESENT SCENARIO D.G., Geological Survey of India. Shri D.P. Gaur, SME, DMG- AND ALTERNATIVES Raj presented a detailed account of sand mining. Dr. S.K. One-day workshop on River Sands and its Alternatives Wadhawan, former DG, GSI spoke on the environmental was organized by MEAI Rajasthan Chapter-Jaipur on 11th hazards of the sand mining and offered remedial measures to February 2018 in association with DMG-Rajasthan and mitigate the environmental problems. Shri Pradeep Agarwal, Stone Crushers Association of Rajasthan. The objective Supdt Geologist, DMG-Rajasthan dealt in detail the case

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 32 March 2018 studies of sand mining from Banas and Kundli rivers. Shri In the post-lunch session, a technical paper was presented Vimal Chowdhury, Advocate spoke about the reasons of by Dr. K.S. Raghav, former Director, GSI giving details of the PIL as envisaged in the constitution. Dr. Suhas Zambre, the palaeo-drainage system of Rajasthan alongwith their Professor, IIT, Mumbai presented a detailed account of potential for river sand deposits in many sectors. Everlast, green technology for sewage treatment having advantage manufacturer of variety of weigh bridges, and plant over conventional STP. Shri D.S. Chawla, President, All India manufacturers for sand making namely METSO, PROPEL, Crushers Association, briefed about the problems faced by CDE, GAWAR constructions presented film presentations. the stone crushing industry, which employs large number Shri Saurabh Agarwal of LSC spoke about manufactured of rural population and also generate handsome revenue to sand – its demand and advantages over the river sand. the government. He requested the government to relax the rules and regulations to facilitate ease of doing business, At the end Shri O.P. Gupta, Chairman, MEAI Rajasthan such as reduction of crusher distance from village to 500m in Chapter-Jaipur thanked the sponsors, co-sponsors and place of 1500m, ease in obtaining environmental clearance, event support partners of the workshop as well as co- abolition of royalty on crushed material, and encourage organizers and delegates for making the event successful. awareness for use of manufactured sand. The workshop concluded with high tea.

Shri PC Bakliwal welcoming the guests Lighting of lamp by dignitaries Shri Pawan Sharma, President, SCA-Rajasthan

VERAVAL-PORBANDER CHAPTER Committee of the chapter. The meeting was presided over by New Executive Committee of the Chapter: Shri A K Sharma, Chairman, along with Shri Manish Kumar Chairman: Shri Arun Kumar Sharma( Ambuja Cements Yadav, Secretary and Shri Kumar Rajan, Jt. Secretary cum Ltd) treasurer of the VP-chapter. A total of 35 members attended Secretary: Shri Manish Kumar Yadav( GHCL Ltd) this meeting. The Meeting started with a welcome note by Jt. Secretary cum treasurer: Shri Kumar Rajan( Ambuja the Chairman followed by normal transactions. Cements Ltd) Chapter Chairman addressed the gathering by welcoming Committee Members: all and thanked everyone for attending the meeting in short notice. He emphasized on making this chapter more lively 1. Shri Vivek Khosla (Ultra Tech Cements Ltd.) and vibrant. He also shared his views on how this chapter 2. Shri Akhilesh J Singh (Ambuja Cements Ltd.) was formed and how active it was during those days. He 3. Shri Babu Rayali (Ultra Tech Cements Ltd.) also informed that this year VP-Chapter has completed 25 years, so he suggested for a Silver Jubilee Celebration of 4. Shri P K Deshpande (Saurashtra Cements Ltd.) the chapter. 5. Shri C M Dwivedi (Tata Chemicals Ltd.) 6. Shri K K Choudhary (Ashapure Minechem Ltd.) The secretary of the chapter emphasized more on increasing 7. Shri Harendra Dayal (Ambuja Cements Ltd.) the membership strength and suggested everyone to put more efforts to add members as part of mass membership 8. Shri Anil Nigam (Shree Digvijay Cement Co. Ltd) drive. He also told that now our responsibility will be to 9. Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Gujarat Sidhee Cement Ltd.) make this chapter more active; and this is just a beginning, 10. Shri Gunanand Roy (Ashapura Minechem Ltd.) definitely, such efforts will help mining fraternity at lot.

Annual General Body Meeting 2017 of Veraval-Porbander Chapter Chairman and Secretary felicitated Shri S K Bhakta Chapter was held on 28.01.2018. This was the first meeting of TATA Chemicals Ltd. and Shri Shivamurthy Swamy of arranged and Chaired by the newly formed Executive Ambuja Cements Ltd as Lifetime serving award for about 31

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 33 March 2018 years in this region and very old member of this chapter. They Shri Akhilesh J Singh, Committee member proposed vote were presented with mementos as a token of remembrance. of thanks. He extended special thanks to Chairman and Their contribution to the chapter and the mining fraternity of Secretary for once again activating this chapter. Also thanked the region was shared amongst the gathering. all the members for attending this meeting in short notice and extended special thanks to all the team members for Then the house was open for suggestions and new ideas making the necessary arrangements for the event in such to make this chapter more active and for further business. a short notice. Every member participated with great enthusiasm and lot of suggestions/ideas had come, few committees were also formed for selecting meritorious children of wards of Mining fraternity for award and recognition, committee for Silver Jubliee celebration and committee for e-Newsletter for this chapter.

Shri A K Jain of Ambuja Cements Ltd and Shri C M Dwivedi of Tata Chemicals Ltd. shared their knowledge about Lease extension procedures, Salient features of MMDR Act-2015, DGPS survey, e-auction procedures etc.

The following committees were formed for giving thrust to Comments/ Suggestions made future activities: by Mining Engineers’ Association Advisory Committee for Silver Jubilee celebration: of India on draft National Mineral Policy, 2018 Sr. No Name Organisation 1 Shri Vivek Khosla UTCL The MEAI President Mr Arun Kumar Kothari collated all the suggestions received from the MEAI members 2 Shri C M Dwivedi TCL and submitted detailed suggestions/ comments on draft 3 Shri Bangaru Babu Rayali UTCL NMP 2018 to MoM on time for due consideration and 4 Shri A J Singh ACL adoption. 5 Shri K K Chaudhary AML The MEAI members who contributed their suggestions/ Committee for selecting meritorious children from comments include Mr DN Bhargava, Mr Prabhakar Mining fraternity: Tripathi, Mr DV Pichamuthu, Mr Deepak Gupta, Mr CS Sr. No Name Organisation Dhaveji, Mr Suresh Kumar, Mr TR Rajasekhar, and Dr PV Rao (on behalf of NACRI). The National Core Committee 1 Shri P K Deshpande SCL for Reporting Resources and Reserves in India (NACRI) 2 Shri M C Upadhaya GHCL also submitted its comments/ suggestions separately to 3 Shri A K Jain ACL MoM and President, MEAI. 4 Shri Bharat Gokhru UTCL 5 Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh GSCL MEAI’s Go-Green Initiative

Committee for e-Newsletter for VP Chapter: As a strong measure to demonstrate that MEAI has concern for environmental protection, it is proposed and Sr. No Name Organisation recommended that the Members prefer to receive soft 1 Shri A K Jain ACL copies of Mining Engineers’ Journal in their email, instead 2 Shri C M Dwivedi TCL of printed copy. This measure will also reduce the cost of printing as well as promote one of the environment 3 Shri Vinay Chitle UTCL concept of “Reduce”. Members are requested to give 4 Shri Gunanand Roy AML consent to this proposal by return mail. 5 Shri Amol Dhomne ACL Publisher

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 34 March 2018 Glimpses of Auditorium Inauguration

Inauguration of Auditorium Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, by Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS as Shri Arun Kothari, Government of Telangana cutting the ribbon President, MEAI and Dr. N.K. Nanda, Dignitaries on the dais at Auditorium Entrance Dir.Technical, NMDC Ltd. look on

Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS lighting the lamp Dr. H. Sarvothaman welcoming the delegates View of the Auditorium and Audience

Address by Shri BRV Susheel Kumar, Address by Dr. N.K. Nanda, Address by Shri I. Gopinath, Dir. M&G and Chairman Hyd. Chapter Dir. Technical, NMDC, Ltd. Senior VP, The India Cements Ltd.

Address by Shri Arun Kumar Kothari, Release of MEAI Brochure Shri AK Kothari, President, MEAI honouring President, MEAI Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS, Chief Guest

Chief Guest Shri Ajay Mishra, IAS, Special Chief Secretary Government of Shri M. Chakradhar, Jt. Secretary cum Treasurer, Second Council Meeting (2017-19) in progress Telangana addressing the gathering MEAI proposing vote of thanks 24 Jan 2018

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 35 March 2018 Rare Honour conferred on Dr Abani Samal with SME Presidential citation (Reproduced from Mining Engineering Magazine, February 2018)

The Society recognizes Abani samal “for his selfless role in facilitating the dialogue between SME, the Indian Student chapters and Indian professional mining associations. His shepherding and support of collaborative activities resulted in the SME’s first association membership with a foreign professional organisation.” Samal holds a PhD from the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, DIC and M.S. degrees from the Imperial College, London and an M.Tech (Mineral Exploration) degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, India. He has worked in the mining industry since 1996. Currently, he is the principal and the owner of GeoGlobal, LLC, which provides consulting services to exploration and mining companies worldwide. Mineral deposit evaluation, applied geostatistics and mine-mill reconciliation are his technical specialisations. He also provides training programs to industry professionals and academic researchers. Samal is a registered Member of SME. For the past several years, he has been a member of several SME standing committees (Research Committee, Government Relations and Public Affairs Committee and award committees) and is a current member of the Resources and Reserves Committee. He has served on the Education and Professional Development and Products and Services strategic committees. He is an active contributing member of the SME. He is the past chair of the Industrial Minerals and Aggregates Division and is an honorary representative of CRIRSCO for India. Samal is also a life member of MEAI, SGAT and MGMI. He is a Co-Chair of NACRI and actively associated with the CRIRSCO initiative in India. He is a member of the Editorial Board of MEJ. SME Division Distinguished Service Award to Dr Abani Samal The A.Frank Alsobrook Industrial Minerals & Aggregates (IM&AD) Division Distinguished Service award is presented to Dr Abani R. Samal. The Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to SME and the Industrial Minerals & Aggregates Division and who have an outstanding reputation for professionalism and accomplishments. Hearty congratulations to Dr Abani Samal from MEAI and MEJ. - Editor

Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 36 March 2018 Mining Engineers’ Journal, Vol. 19, No. 8 37 March 2018 conferences, seminars, workshops etc.

India innovative developments in mining industry. The leading experts 13 - 15 April 2018: SEMINAR ON ADVANCEMENT IN MINING of mining industry and representatives of related industries from OF OIL AND SOLID FUELS. Organized and hosted by MEAI, all over the world will give speech at the World Mining Congress. Rajasthan Chapter-Jaipur at Mining Welfare Centre, Mansarovar, Contact: [email protected], Phone: + 7 727 258 34 34 Jaipur 2302020. For further details contact Shri PC Bakliwal, (ext.235) Secretary MEAI Rajasthan Chapter-Jaipur at Mob: 9828668764 or 29 - 31 August 2018: 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] 2018, Brisbane, Queensland. Contact: Eliza Sanneman, Telephone: 25 - 26 July 2018: Mining Investment India. Sheraton, New Delhi, +61 3 9658 6105 India. Contact information: Daniel Radziszewski, Singapore for 10 - 14 Sep 2018: 11th ICARD | IMWA 2018 ANNUAL Speaking, registration & general queries. Phone: +65 6717 6018, CONFERENCE. The South African mining experience practically Email: [email protected], Web: https://www.spire- offers something for everyone in the global mining community. events.com/ Gauteng, South Africa. Contact: Prof C Wolkersdorfer, Phone: +27 12 3826315, Email: [email protected] Abroad 14 - 18 October 2018: Australian Geoscience Council 4 - 7 March 2018: PDAC 2018 International Convention, Trade Convention (AGCC18), Adelaide, Australia. AGCC 2018 will focus Show & Investors Exchange, Toronto, Canada. Metro Toronto on the Asia Pacific region and supported by all eight Member Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd. Contact details: Email: Organisations of the Australian Geoscience Council. For details [email protected]; Web: http://www.pdac.ca/convention contact AGCC 2018 Secretariat, [email protected] or +61 7 3368 2644. 4 - 6 April 2018: Mongolia Mining 2018. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace. Contact details: Email: otgondulam@ 19 - 21 Nov 2018: PROCESS MINERALOGY '18. Process minex.mn; Web: http://www.mongolia-mining.org/ Mineralogy ’18 will deal with Quantitative mineralogy; Geometallurgy; Ore characterization; Mineral Liberation and Textural Analysis; 7 - 8 April 2018: International conference on Contemporary Sampling and Statistics; Advanced Process Control. Cape Town, issues in Science, Engineering & Management (ICCI-SEM). South Africa. Contact: Dr Barry Wills, Email: [email protected] Hotel Transit, 42, Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Contact: [email protected]. 16 - 19 Apr 2018: COMMINUTION '18. MEI's Comminution conferences are established for profiling cutting edge research and Obituary innovation in all aspects of crushing, grinding and ultrafine grinding We regret to inform the sad demise in the minerals industry. Cape Town, South Africa. Contact: Dr Barry of Sri K. Gopala Krishna (LM.NO: Wills, Phone: +44 7768234121, Email: [email protected] 1722/HYD) on 15.01.2018. 01 - 02 May 2019: PHYSICAL SEPARATION '19. The 5th Physical Separation conference, will bring together researchers and Late K. Gopala Krishna obtained operators who have common interests in: Gravity concentration his Diploma in Mining Engineering methods - single and multi-G separators and dense medium from the Govt. Mining Institute, separation; Classification techniques. Cape Town, South Africa. Gudur, A.P. in 1961. After his Contact: Dr Barry Wills, Email: [email protected] Diploma he joined WCL Collieries, 19 - 26 May 2018: ALTA 2018. organised by ALTA Metallurgical Maharashtra as an apprentice and (18.07.1942-15.01.2018) Services, will be the 23rd year of one of the world’s premier annual joined Indian Bureau of Mines in the year 1962 to retire metallurgical events. Perth, Australia. Contact: Allison Taylor, in 2002. During his 40 years of service, he served Indian Phone: +61411692442, Email: [email protected] Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India and Mineral 16 - 21 June 2018: Resources for Future Generations, PREMIER Exploration Corporation besides Singareni Collieries CONFERENCE ON ENERGY • MINERALS • WATER • THE (a contractual project) and associated with mostly EARTH. Vancouver Convention Center, | Vancouver, BC, Canada. exploration investigations related to Gold, Molybdenum Under the auspices of IUGS and supported by the Canadian and Coal. Federation of Earth Sciences, three Canadian organizations have partnered to deliver RFG2018. Contact: rfg2018.org Late Gopala Krishna is survived by two sons and their th 19 - 22 June 2018: 25 World Mining Congress, EXPO families. The MEAI and MEJ expresses deep condolences Congress Center, Astana, Kazakhstan. The leading institutions to the bereaved family. along with key suppliers and service companies will present

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Date of Publication: 24-2-2018 Regd. with RNI R.No. 71519/99; No. of Pages: 36+Cover 4 Date of Posting: 29 / 30 of every month Postal Regd. No. H-HD-GPO/024/2018-2020

Official Publication of Mining Engineers’ Association of India

Price `100/-

Vol. 19 No. 8 Monthly March - 2018

Mining Engineers’ Association of India Flat-608 & 609, Raghava Ratna Towers, A-Block, VI Floor, Chirag Ali Lane, Abids, Hyderabad - 500001 Ph.: 040 - 66339625, 23200510, Email: [email protected] Website: www.meai.org

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