ECL Uses AI Drones to Track Mine Reclamation

09 Jan 2026 CW Team

Coal India subsidiary Eastern Coalfields Ltd has deployed AI-driven drones to assess green cover and scientific land reclamation at its Sonepur-Bazari mining area in West Bengal. The initiative uses drone-based orthomosaic mapping, along with GIS- and GPS-enabled spatial validation, vegetation health analysis and ecological surveys for on-ground verification, the company said in a statement.

High-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle surveys, combined with advanced geospatial analytics, are being used to objectively evaluate plantation performance and the effectiveness of ecological restoration efforts. The study is being conducted by the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, bringing together artificial intelligence, remote sensing and field-based ecological assessment.

According to the company, the integrated approach allows data-driven evaluation of plantation survival rates, canopy development, species composition, spatial distribution and overall reclamation success. The use of AI and UAV technologies improves accuracy, scalability and consistency in environmental monitoring, supporting informed decision-making for mine closure planning and long-term ecological management.

Coal India Ltd subsidiary Eastern Coalfields operates across West Bengal and Jharkhand and is targeting coal production of about 58 million tonnes in 2025–26.

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