Asansol, Dec 20: Eastern Coalfields Limited is organizing UMMEED 2025, an International Conference and Exhibition on Underground Mining Mechanization and Automation, from 19th to 20th December 2025, in collaboration with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Mines Safety
The conference is being held under the esteemed Chief Patronage of Shri Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS; Shri Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, ECL; and Professor Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
The welcome address was delivered by Shri Niladri Roy, Director (Technical/OP), ECL, followed by the formal release of the UMMEED 2025 Souvenir. The inaugural session featured addresses by Shri Manoj Kumar Agarwal, CMD, BCCL; Shri Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, CCL; and Shri Satish Jha, CMD, ECL & CMD, CMPDIL (Additional Charge). In his address CMD, ECL & CMPDIL, Shri Satish Jha said, this national conference on underground mining has been conceptualised under the guidance of the Director General of Mines Safety, Shri Ujjwal Taha and is being organised by Eastern Coalfields Limited on behalf of Coal India Limited. Safety remains paramount, and technologies such as Continuous Miners and Longwall systems offer inherently safer working environments. Clear long-term planning and communication of equipment requirements are also essential to enable the mining machinery sector to prepare for future demand. I am confident that the deliberations of this conference will result in valuable recommendations that will significantly shape the future of underground coal mining in India.
The session culminated in an eloquent and impactful address by Shri Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS, highlighting the critical role of safety, innovation and regulatory synergy in the future of underground mining.
The exhibition site was subsequently inaugurated by Shri Ujjwal Tah, showcasing cutting-edge underground mining technologies by leading domestic and international companies, alongside working models of underground mines presented by various subsidiaries of Coal India Limited.
The post-lunch technical sessions of Day 01 featured expert deliberations on key thematic areas shaping the underground mining ecosystem. Professor R. M. Bhattacharya, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, delivered a technical address on “Mass Production Technology”, focusing on 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, IIM Raipur & Professor of Practice, NIT Raipur, who highlighted the economic and policy frameworks critical to the sector’s growth. The day concluded with a focused session on “Safety Challenges in Underground Mining”, addressed by Shri Supriyo Chakraborty, DDG, Eastern Zone, DGMS, emphasizing regulatory perspectives, safety imperatives and best practices for sustainable operations.
UMMEED 2025 has drawn participation from Corporate JCC Members, Corporate Safety Board Members, former CMDs and Directors of Coal India subsidiaries, Area General Managers, Heads of Departments and executives from across ECL, reflecting the conference’s broad industry engagement and strategic relevance.
The inaugural proceedings of Day 01 concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Bharatendu Kumar, General Manager (Excavation), ECL, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.
Through high-level deliberations, technology showcases and expert interactions, UMMEED 2025 continues to reinforce its position as a premier platform for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative discourse, aimed at shaping a safe, efficient and sustainable future for underground mining.
