The use of unmanned aerial vehicle, which is known as drone application, is going to be introduced very soon to stop mining theft in the country.
This was stated by Union Mining Secretary Balvinder Kumar at a Press meet after he attended the demonstration of drone applications of the Tata Steel mines at Noamundi, Jharkhand which is said to be a first in India.
He also said that deposit of reserves in the mines, production and dispatch can ascertained and other mining purposes can be served by the use of drone technology. If the application is found suitable, then the IBM will be asked for larger application of the technology in the mining sector.
When misuse of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds in Odisha, particularly in Keonjhar district, was brought to his notice, Kumar told that the very purpose of the DMF is to utilise it for some big projects in the affected districts and disapproved of the way the DMF fund is being spent by the district Collector or village Sarpanch as alleged.
He also cautioned that there would be CAG audit and the errant will be punished.
When asked what would be the future of about 50,000 labourers engaged by the captive mines in Keonjhar and Sundargarh mining circle in the year 2020 when 90 per cent of mines of the region will go for new auction, he said the law would be modified so that nobody would be thrown out of job.