ECL Hosts UMMEED 2025: Advancing the Future of Underground Mining through Innovation, Safety and Policy Dialogue

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is hosting UMMEED 2025, an International Conference and Exhibition on Underground Mining Mechanisation and Automation, from December 19–20, 2025, in collaboration with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).

The conference is being held under the esteemed Chief Patronage of Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS; Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, ECL; and Professor Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Niladri Roy, Director (Technical/Operations), ECL, followed by the formal release of the UMMEED 2025 Souvenir. The opening session featured addresses by Manoj Kumar Agarwal, CMD, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL); Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL); and Satish Jha, CMD, ECL and CMD, CMPDIL (Additional Charge).

Addressing the gathering, Satish Jha stated that the national conference on underground mining was conceptualised under the guidance of DGMS Director General Ujjwal Tah and is being organised by Eastern Coalfields Limited on behalf of Coal India Limited. Emphasising safety as the cornerstone of underground mining, he noted that technologies such as continuous miners and longwall systems inherently provide safer working environments. He also stressed the importance of clear long-term planning and timely communication of equipment requirements, enabling the mining machinery industry to align its capacities with future demand. He expressed confidence that the deliberations at UMMEED 2025 would yield actionable recommendations shaping the future of underground coal mining in India.

The inaugural session concluded with an impactful address by Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS, who underscored the critical importance of safety, technological innovation and regulatory synergy in ensuring sustainable and productive underground mining operations.

Following the inaugural session, the exhibition area was inaugurated by Ujjwal Tah, featuring cutting-edge underground mining technologies showcased by leading domestic and international companies, along with working models of underground mines presented by various subsidiaries of Coal India Limited.

The post-lunch technical sessions on Day 01 focused on key themes shaping the underground mining ecosystem. Professor R. M. Bhattacharya, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, delivered a technical presentation on “Mass Production Technology”, highlighting productivity enhancement through advanced mechanisation. This was followed by an insightful session on “Economics and Policy Initiatives” by Dr. P. S. Mishra, former CMD, SECL, and Adjunct Professor at IIM Raipur & Professor of Practice at NIT Raipur, who elaborated on the economic and policy frameworks essential for sectoral growth. The day concluded with a focused session on “Safety Challenges in Underground Mining”, addressed by Shri Supriyo Chakraborty, Deputy Director General (Eastern Zone), DGMS, who emphasised regulatory perspectives, safety imperatives and best practices for sustainable mining.

UMMEED 2025 has witnessed participation from Corporate JCC Members, Corporate Safety Board Members, former CMDs and Directors of Coal India subsidiaries, Area General Managers, Heads of Departments and senior executives from across ECL, reflecting the conference’s broad-based industry engagement and strategic relevance.

The inaugural proceedings of Day 01 concluded with a vote of thanks by Bharatendu Kumar, General Manager (Excavation), ECL, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.

Through high-level deliberations, technology showcases and expert interactions, UMMEED 2025 continues to strengthen its position as a premier national and international platform for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative dialogue, aimed at shaping a safe, efficient and sustainable future for underground mining in India.