The Role of Information Technology Management (ITM) in the Modern Mining Industry in India - A Case Study

摘要

The personal computer is dramatically changing the traditionally conservative mining industry in the present era of computerisation by allowing mines of varying size and capacity to increase their productivity; and control systems arc also being used more frequently to measure and optimise, in-real-time, the performance of operating equipments. The technology vision ranges from real time data access for improving decision-making, to robotic mining. The ultimate vision of technology is the fully automated mining. When communicated to an end-user, the in-real-time information can provide accurate and timely answers to questions of how much, where, when, and by whom about an activity. This capability forms the foundation of a more comprehensive, proactive management and planning facility where, ultimately information acquired from the production equipment will be used to optimise and control machine and human activities. As these technologies mature and become essential tools in a mine, they will eventually serve as the basis for more robotic and autonomous mining operations. Mine management is presently facing the problem of how to acquire the in-real-time data; filter the relevant information from these data; take and, implement an appropriate decision within a desired period to optimise the mine productivity and safety. A particular person should be provided with the particular information about a particular activity according to his needs. If he can acquire the relevant information within appropriate time then a suitable decision can be taken and implemented to optimise the productivity and safety. Application of information technology is needed to perform these tasks. This paper justifies the need of Information Technology Management (ITM) in mining industry. Procedure to develop an information management system is described. Suggestions to maintain and improve that system are also given. After carrying out a case study in an underground Indian coal mine, having conventional information management system, it is suggested that using IT system, a much little manpower can produce the same quantity of coal having same machineries. Taking into account the Indian mining industry, it is suggested where IT can be used.