Coal India Limited (CIL) has hired Accenture Solutions Private Ltd as a consultant to assist it in digitising mine processes in seven opencast mines, with the goal of increasing coal output by 100 million tonne (mt) by March 2023. An official told the media the aim is to integrate and use available data analytic techniques to improve mine productivity and efficiency from planning to project monitoring to operations and despatch, all while maintaining effective system management and dynamic monitoring. The official said heavy mining equipment used in these mines would be outfitted with digital sensors to track the efficiency of their operations at every level. The move will aid in the removal of roadblocks and the implementation of corrective actions. The seven mines identified are Gevra, Kusmunda and Dipka in the South Eastern Coalfields and Dudhichua, Jayant, Nigahi and Khadia in the Northern Coalfields. With a performance-based fee, the consultant guarantees a 100 mt increase in coal production by the end of the fiscal year 2023 over the combined production of seven mines at the end of FY22, which is used as a baseline figure to measure output enhancement. Accenture will lay the groundwork for digitalisation in these mines until March 2022, he said. The consultant's success fee will be paid only if the guaranteed quantity exceeds a certain minimum threshold. Once the threshold level was exceeded, the consultant would be paid an agreed-upon amount for each additional tonne of coal produced. According to the official, by learning from its success, they may be able to replicate this model in their other large mines. Image Source Also read: CIL signs agreement to purchase Russian shovels at Rs 1,462 cr Also read: Coal India laying focus on energy efficiency, plans carbon reduction