Concept

iCEM is an autonomous institution established by the Government of Gujarat under the aegis of the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation. With a vision to become India’s leading institute for enabling sustainable mining from societal, environmental and commercial standpoints, iCEM aims to catalyze the growth of the mining sector, helping it become more efficient, safe and sustainable.

Recognizing the ever-evolving mining landscape and its impact on both economic growth and the environment,iCEM adopts a comprehensive approach that encompasses capacity building and skill development, developing knowledge resources, curating best-in-class technologies, incubating breakthrough innovations and forging strategic collaborations with reputed national and international institutions. It deploys its expertise pan-India across its focus areas of Water, Earth and the Environment, Energy and Digitalization.

Vision

To be India's leading knowledge institute for enabling Safe and Sustainable Mining from Societal, Environmental and Commercial standpoint.

Mission

To identify, evaluate and conduct concept and value proof of technologies and innovations having positive impact on Mining and enable related skill and knowledge development.

Focus Areas

Water
  • Wastewater recovery
  • Biotech remediation to enhance wastewater quality
  • Testing and mapping groundwater quantity and quality
  • Solar stills for water production
Earth And Environment
  • Coal/lignite gasification
  • Blue Hydrogen and downstream products
  • High Pyrite levels in lignite solutions
  • Climate change baselining and financing
  • Critical Minerals – valorization and biotech enrichment of OB/tailings
  • Silviculture and commercial afforestation
  • Soil reconditioning
Energy
  • Pumped Hydro energy storage
  • Electric trucks and HEMMs
  • Comprehensive tracking of energy usage
  • Baseline and reduce energy per ton of production
  • Alternative energy production
  • Grid-level energy storage solutions
Efficiency
  • AI and IoT deployment
  • Digitilisation and dashboards
  • Vision Intelligence platform for mine mapping
  • Multi-sensor drone surveys
  • AR/VR applications in training
  • Engaging mid and senior management for team cohesion
  • Skill development initiatives

Climate Consciousness

Promoting new ways and technologies to help promote sustainable mining and the drive towards 'net zero'

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Reducing the mining industry’s carbon footprint is vital to combat greenhouse gas emissions, fight climate change and shift towards a low-carbon economy. Recognizing this need, iCEM works towards:

  • Conducting emission audits to assess carbon footprint of mining operations, identifying areas for improvement and emissions reduction.
  • Facilitating the adoption of cleaner and energy-efficient technologies.
  • Promoting the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind and other clean energy sources to power mining operations.
  • Exploring carbon offsetting strategies in the entire value-chain, allowing mining companies to balance their emissions.

Energy Conservation

Energy consumption is the heart of mining operations and also its biggest expense. That’s why conserving energy is one of the most important aspects of mining, not just to cut costs, but also to reduce the environmental impact of mining operations. Aligning with this goal, iCEM works towards imbibing energy-conservation practices by:

  • Conducting energy audits to identify opportunities for conservation and optimization.
  • Recommend energy-efficient technologies suitable for mining applications.
  • Integrating renewable energy sources into their operations.
  • Offering capacity building programs for mining professionals in energy conservation.

Water Conservation

Water, the earth’s most precious resource, is also mining’s most critical component. The efficient use and preservation of this vital natural resource is therefore critical for the industry. iCEM works towards global efforts to address water scarcity and promote sustainable practices in mining by:

  • Conducting water audits for enabling conservation and optimizing water use.
  • Recommending water recycling and reuse systems, to maximize water efficiency.
  • Providing guidance on adopting water-efficient processes and technologies.
  • Encouraging mining companies to engage with local communities in water conservation initiatives.

Digital Leverage

Digital leverage is the core of any modern mining operation. By harnessing the power of advanced technologies, data analytics and automation, mining companies can optimize operations and decisionmaking and thereby enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability. To achieve this iCEM offers

  • Guidance on adopting smart technologies, tailoring solutions to meet the specific needs of mining operations
  • Assistance in the integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence, empowering mining professionals to extract valuable insights from data.
  • Implementation of remote monitoring systems, enhancing safety and efficiency in mining operations.
  • Training programs to upskill mining professionals in digital technologies and tools.