Union Minister G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals, VR Mine Simulator at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad

Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy, on a two-day visit to Jharkhand, today inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Minerals Mission at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, along with the Virtual Reality Mine Simulator (VRMS)—a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at enhancing mining safety and productivity through advanced technology.

The newly inaugurated CoE will serve as a national anchor for research and industry-scale solutions in critical minerals, with a focus on exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, reuse and waste-to-wealth initiatives. The Centre will collaborate with leading industry players and international academic institutions, including the University of Cambridge and St Petersburg University, and will receive infrastructure and academic support from IIT Gandhinagar, IIT (BHU) and CPI (UK).

The Virtual Reality Mine Simulator, developed by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in collaboration with Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), is India’s first VR-based mine simulator for coal mining. Equipped with a 360-degree immersive virtual reality theatre, the simulator uses real mine data and offers over 20 specialised training modules covering heavy equipment operations and critical safety standard operating procedures (SOPs). The VRMS is designed to provide scenario-based assessment and certification for employees at all levels—from operators to senior management—and is expected to halve training time while significantly improving safety preparedness.

During his visit, G Kishan Reddy also held a warm and informal interaction with students and young researchers at RD Chowk, an iconic and long-standing meeting point on the IIT (ISM) campus. Over a cup of tea, the interaction evolved into a candid exchange of ideas, with discussions spanning academic journeys, research interests, career aspirations, and the growing role of technology and innovation in mining.

The Minister encouraged students to think beyond conventional career paths and see themselves as contributors to national development and problem-solvers for the mining and energy sectors. He emphasised the importance of indigenous, research-driven solutions in critical minerals, sustainability and clean energy, noting that India’s strategic sectors will be shaped by curious, confident and innovation-driven youth.

Earlier, addressing faculty and students, Reddy underscored the pivotal role of IIT (ISM) in shaping India’s mining future through knowledge creation, research and innovation. He stated that the institution is not only a premier centre for producing skilled mining professionals but also a cradle of technological vision and innovation for the sector.

Highlighting the mining sector’s current transformation, the Minister said it stands at a historic juncture where technology, critical minerals, sustainability and national security are collectively advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a strong push towards IT-led growth, innovation and R&D, with increased national investment in research, a surge in patent filings, and rapid expansion of the deep-tech ecosystem.

Reddy also highlighted digital initiatives such as Coal SETU, the Koyla Shakti Dashboard and Integrated Command & Control Systems, which are leveraging information technology for real-time monitoring, improved efficiency, enhanced transparency and strengthened safety across the mining sector.