Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, has introduced a Virtual Reality (VR)-based skill development program for its workforce. The program aims to provide safety and operational training to MCL’s 17,000 employees by the year 2026. The initiative is part of MCL’s efforts to upgrade the technical skills of its workforce and achieve a coal production target of 300 million tonnes (MT) by 2026, contributing to Coal India Ltd’s overall target of one billion tonnes production.
MCL, the highest coal producing subsidiary of Coal India Ltd with mining operations spread over Sundergarh, Jharsuguda and Angul districts of Odisha, had produced more than 193 million tonnes coal in the last financial year 2022-23 and despatched a record 148 million tonnes coal to power plants.
Emphasising on skilled workforce as a key to safe and productive mining operations, Shri Om Prakash Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MCL stated that regular training and upgradation of skills is required by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to match the advancements and introduction of new technology in mining sector.
MCL plans  to upgrade the technical skills of workforce involved in operational activities, to achieve 300 Million Tonne (MT)  coal production by 2026 and enable Coal India Ltd achieve the target of one billion tonne production.  VR-based training to the workers would save cost and time, yet provide impartial and auto-generated feedback on the skills attained by the trainees.
MCL has identified 18 training modules that will be integrated into the VR platform. These modules cover areas such as blasting, mine inspection, electrical safety, working, traffic simulation, and engine/transmission maintenance. The training program will be developed and operated by M/s Concoct Human Resource Practitioners (CHRP-India) Pvt. Ltd., a Hyderabad-based Virtual Reality technology company. The selection of CHRP-India was done through competitive bidding at the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The initiative, spearheaded jointly by the Innovation Cell, Safety & Rescue, Electrical & Mechanical, Excavation and Electronics & Telecommunications departments of MCL, is envisaged to integrate seamless training on 3D simulated VR-platforms. This would provide safe training environment to the workers before they actually take up jobs in the coal mines or workshops, all the while mitigating direct exposure to hazardous activities in initial training and induction.
Initiated as a step towards digitalisation in business processes, introduction of VR-based training for around 17,000 departmental as well as contract employees will serve as a major initiative for 18 training modules leveraging this modern technology.
MCL is known for its efforts to introduce new technologies in its business processes and is actively modernizing its operations through collaboration with research and development institutions and industry experts. By investing in skill enhancement and leveraging VR-based training, MCL aims to ensure a skilled workforce for safe and productive mining operations, contributing to the growth of India’s coal industry.
