Innovation in mining is a leadership imperative: Eriez India MD in Jamshedpur

CSIR-NML hosts conference on Emerging Trends in Mineral Beneficiation Technologies

 Jamshedpur, July 24: “Innovation in mining and mineral processing is not merely a technical challenge but a leadership imperative,” said Tim Sheehan, Managing Director of Eriez India Pvt. Ltd., during his keynote address at the National Conference on Emerging Trends in Mineral Beneficiation Technologies (EMBT-2025). The conference, hosted by CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, is part of its 75th Foundation Year celebrations.

Sheehan emphasized the need for a leadership-driven approach to adopt emerging technologies in mineral processing. Drawing from his global experience, he highlighted the contrasts between innovation environments in India and developed countries, citing cultural, structural, and economic factors. He also underlined the importance of mindset, risk assessment, and decision-making frameworks to accelerate technological adoption in the Indian mining sector.

The three-day national conference saw participation from over 150 delegates representing 22 organizations and academic institutions. Around 66 technical papers were presented, showcasing recent advancements and industrial practices. The event was supported by leading industry sponsors including Tata Steel, Coal India, JSW Steel, SAIL, Hindustan Copper, Boldata, Saint-Gobain, and Eriez India.

On the second day, plenary and keynote lectures added further depth to the technical discussions. Dr. P.K. Banerjee, Outstanding Scientist at CSIR-CIMFR, stressed the urgent need for coal beneficiation to reduce India’s dependence on imported coal, which currently meets over 85% of steel industry requirements. He noted that boosting domestic beneficiation capacity is critical for achieving the nation’s 300 MTPA steel production target by 2030.

Prof. D.K. Singh of IIT-ISM Dhanbad discussed advanced beneficiation of rare earth elements from monazite, stressing sustainability and economic viability. D.P. Chakraborty, Chief, IMTG, Tata Steel, shared strategies for processing complex iron ores in Eastern India.