Dhanbad: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy on Monday inaugurated a Centre of Excellence under the National Critical Minerals Mission at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad during his two-day visit to Jharkhand.
At the same event, the minister also inaugurated India’s first Virtual Reality Mine Simulator for coal mining, developed by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in collaboration with Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries. The inauguration marked a key step in strengthening research, training and safety systems in the mining sector.
The Centre of Excellence inaugurated by G Kishan Reddy will serve as a national anchor for research and industry-scale solutions in critical minerals. It will focus on exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, reuse and waste-to-wealth initiatives. The centre will partner with leading industry players and international universities, including the University of Cambridge and St Petersburg University. Infrastructure support will be provided by IIT Gandhinagar, IIT BHU and CPI (UK).
Addressing students and faculty, the minister highlighted the growing strategic importance of critical minerals. He said the mining sector was entering a decisive phase, driven by technology, sustainability and national security concerns. According to him, these factors were central to India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
G Kishan Reddy inauguration showcases technology and student engagement
Continuing the G Kishan Reddy inauguration programme, the minister reviewed the Virtual Reality Mine Simulator facility. The VR-based simulator features a 360-degree immersive theatre and uses real mine data. It offers more than 20 training modules covering heavy equipment operations and critical safety standard operating procedures.
Officials said the simulator would provide scenario-based assessment and certification for employees at all levels, from operators to senior managers. As a result, training time was expected to reduce by nearly half while significantly improving safety preparedness and productivity.
Later, G Kishan Reddy held an informal interaction with students and young researchers at RD Chowk, a long-standing student gathering space on the campus. Over tea, the discussion moved beyond formalities and encouraged open exchange of ideas. Students spoke about their academic journeys, research interests and career goals.
The interaction also covered the evolving role of technology in mining, opportunities in critical minerals, clean energy transitions and the need for indigenous, research-driven solutions. The minister encouraged students to look beyond conventional roles and see themselves as contributors to national development.
Earlier, in his address, Reddy described IIT (ISM) Dhanbad as a cradle of innovation and a key institution shaping India’s mining future. He said the institute played a vital role in knowledge creation and technological advancement.
Highlighting government initiatives, he referred to Coal SETU, the Koyla Shakti Dashboard and Integrated Command and Control Systems. These platforms, he said, enabled real-time monitoring, improved efficiency and strengthened transparency and safety in the mining sector. He added that increased national investment in research and development had positioned India among the world’s top countries in patent filings.
