Tata Steel Partners AUS for Drone-based Mining Solutions

Tata Steel, has struck a deal with a Bengaluru-based start-up, Aarav Unmanned Systems, for drone-based mining solutions for efficient mine management. The primary goal of this collaboration is to create and deliver long-term, end-to-end integrated solutions for open cast mining operations that prioritise efficiency, safety, and productivity.

According to the companies statement, "Tata Steel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aarav Unmanned Systems (AUS), a Bangaluru-based startup, providing end-to-end drone solutions... for effective mine management."

Tata Steel will also collaborate with AUS to provide exclusive drone-based solutions to Tata Steel group enterprises across mining regions in India, including mine analytics and geo-technical mapping, the company said.

D B Sundara Ramam, vice president, Raw Materials, Tata Steel, commented on the collaboration, saying that Drone survey enabled digitalisation and other technology will help in generating meaningful and actionable data. They see huge potential in combining drone data and appropriate analytics to reimagining basic mining operations such as exploration and mine planning.

These all-in-one mining solutions are cost-effective, involve less on-the-ground exploration, and improve production, efficiency, and site safety. The company stated that it hopes to use opportunities created by the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat Program and legislative developments to meet captive raw material requirements beyond 2030 by developing a sustainable mining industry.

It stated that the company has aimed to become a leader in digitalizing its mining activities across the value chain. According to the report, digitalisation enables the development of targeted strategies using real-time data and data analytics, provides visualisation and decision matrix tools to predict failure, aids in scheduling and material flow optimization, and improves the capability of beneficiation plants through online monitoring of quality data.

Vipul Singh, Founder and CEO of Aarav Unmanned Systems, commented on the partnership, saying, "Tata Steel's trust in us to create end-to-end solutions jointly with them for the domestic and global mining industry directly reflects on the vision we share and the openness of a behemoth like Tata Steel to partner with a start-up to derive the most effective solution."