The Metals and Mining sector in India is expected to witness a major reform in the next few years

–  Amit Banerjee

CMD, BEML

What is your focus at IMME this time?

BEML Ltd., with its three business verticals i.e., Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction and Rail & Metro is serving the core sectors of the economy, is a regular exhibitor at International Mining & Machinery Exhibition (IMME).

In the forthcoming 16th edition of the IMME 2022 Exhibition, BEML would be showcasing the features and technology of the high-end mining equipment developed and manufactured indigenously by BEML under Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. With regards to Construction equipment, BEML would be showcasing its recently developed equipment.

What is your view of IMME as a trade show in terms of value it offers to the stakeholders of construction equipment sector and the allied sectors – particularly the mining sector?

IME 2022 is a prestigious institutionalized biennial international exhibition of the Mining, Minerals, Metals and Machinery industries in India. It is an Ideal platform for display and launches of new initiatives, machinery products and technologies, establishing joint ventures, developing and renewing international and regional contacts.

For BEML it creates and provides an opportunity to display and showcase the existing and latest developed & manufactured mining & construction equipment to the buyers in Domestic as well as International Mining Industry.

Apart from the opportunity to exhibit the products, the event also creates a platform to interact with various Coal and Non-Coal mining related customers, understand their present and future techno-commercial requirements and also with various component/spare parts’ manufacturers, policy makers, government officials and media to promote our equipment that helps the industry to grow.

How do you look at the mining sector in terms of construction and mining equipment?

In India, the mining sector, as a key economic activity, contributes significantly to the country’s economy. The Metals and Mining sector in India is expected to witness a major reform in the next few years, owing to Make in India Campaign, Smart Cities, Rural Electrification, and a focus on building renewable energy projects under the National Electricity Policy as well as the upsurge in infrastructure development.

With the above futuristic infrastructural developmental plans of the government and the requirement for coal companies to achieve the targeted production would escalate the demand for equipment in both Mining as well as Construction segment and it would continue in the near future.

At a time when there is so much discussion around artificial intelligence and machine learning, do you see construction and mining equipment gradually becoming autonomous?

The Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum in every field of work and is already being used in various aggregates. BEML has already introduced the same in Operator Fatigue monitoring and warning the surrounding, AI is used in Lighting and 360 degree camera display to identify Human/animals and objects and to bring to the notice of operator. AI is used to help to communicate with the operator in his native language for better equipment maintenance. These features are already being tried on our mining and construction equipment.

Autonomous feature using AI & ML is developing very fast in automobiles like cars trucks and trying to reach level five in the near future. The learning’s from the automobiles are being used on mining trucks in few mines already. The remote or multiple equipment operation from the comfort of room near the mining activity is started on Dozers, Excavators, Loaders and Drills.

Complete Autonomous feature on mining and construction equipment may take a longer time as lot and lot of data is required for the controller to take its own decision. The terrain and the mix of men and machinery are unique in the mining and construction area. The absence of sign board, road markings are some of the few examples. The Autonomous feature is definitely coming in various forms in stages.

How do you look at the concept of hybrid and electric power in construction machinery?

Electrically driven equipment has many advantages over diesel driven equipment, such as:

–    Zero emission – environmental friendly equipment.

–    Reduced noise levels

–    Life span of electric motor is more compared to diesel engine.

–    High efficiency compared to diesel drive

–    Less energy consumption compared to diesel drive.

–    Very few initial checks and maintenance, no regular diesel filling – Reduces maintenance staff.

–    In-built cooling fan system compared to external radiator in diesel engine.

–    Lubrication: Only greasing of end bearing required.

–    Auxiliary system – only HT/LT system is required.

–    In diesel drive; Fuel System, Lubrication System and Cooling System required.

–    Electric Drive equipment has low operating cost compared to diesel drive equipment.

However, electrically driven equipment has limitation of working area as they are connected with power cable and are less mobile.

In mining projects where the working area is defined and requires less mobility of equipment and where there is regular electric power supply; electrically operated equipment (Electro-Hydraulic Excavators) find more application.

BEML has developed and manufacturing high end electrically driven Electric Hydraulic Excavators of 100 Ton & 180 Ton class for mining application. These equipmentare working satisfactorily in the mines.

Also, low end electrically driven equipment (Electric Motor or Battery) market is yet to pick up due to mobility restrictions.

What engineering improvisations have been carried out in your machine in the recent past to improve productivity, fuel efficiency and safety?

Following safety features are added to BEML’s equipment:

–    Operator Fatigue monitoring system

–    Seat belt warning system

–    All-round mirror / Camera

–    ROPS and FOPS integrated operator cabin

The productivity is linked to operator comfort also, in addition to the improvements in the power line aggregates.

BEML has improved the operator comfort by introducing low vibration operator seats, ergonomically positioned display and control systems. Viscous mounts are added in the cabin to reduce the operator fatigue.

BEML is engineering emission compliant customized engines on the construction and mining equipment to reduce the fuel consumption and improve the performance of the machine. 

How is your company addressing the issue of operator training/skill development?

BEML organises product wise periodical training at its manufacturing plants to the operators and maintenance staff of customers with regards to overall equipment features an on periodical maintenance of equipment.

To develop the skill of operators, BEML has adopted the latest simulator based training technology both at selected project and at manufacturing plant.

BEML’s factory trained service representatives are posted all over the country, who in turn train the operators and maintenance staff at customers project site.

Trained maintenance staff adopts the proper maintenance practices and minimize the equipment failures; which in turn increase the availability of equipment and reduce the overall operating cost. 

Please give information on your dealer network and new markets you plan to be present in.

BEML has its own marketing network with 12 Regional Offices, 15 District Offices, 6 Activity Centres and 5 Service Centres spread across the country, to provide total product support for its Mining & Construction equipment.

The 5 service centres are located based on population of equipment in those areas to provide continuous support to customers and to avoid logistic issues. Further, to provide effective solutions &services to Mining sector, BEML has deployed service engineers at pit heads to monitor the equipment at proximity.

BEML having its full-fledged products for the open cast mining has now geared to produce high-capacity equipment which are currently being imported and also planning to venture further in underground mining sector.

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