Product Development
Tata Steel gives mining a boost
Published
4 years agoon
By
admin
The introduction of LHD at Jharia has greatly benefited the miners engaged in day-to-day mining activities.
Coal mining in Jharia started when Tata Group founder, the late J N Tata, kicked off operations back in 1910 and the Jharia division came to life. Jharia is the fifteenth largest town in the state of Jharkhand famous for its rich coal resources, used to make coke.
They are amongst the deepest coal mines in the country and the coal in the region is prone to spontaneous heating and methane gas emission which poses challenges to the mining operations. Mining operations results in the whole area to be covered with fine coal dust, causing epidemic respiratory suffering, chronic bronchitis, asthma and lung and skin diseases to those involved in the mining process. Despite the geographic and operational challenges, Tata Steel conducts mining activities in a scientific, environment friendly and sustainable manner to provide clean coal to its steel plant and ensure safety of its workforce.
Tata Steel’s commitment to improve the quality of life of the communities engaged in mining operations encourages them to develop and introduce avant-garde technology; this not only ensures employee safety and conservation of natural resources but also improves the level of productivity.
The Jharia group of mines is a part of Raw Materials Division (RM) which consists of five underground mines and two coal beneficiation plants. The mining process in this division involves conventional drilling and blasting of coal. The blasted coal is loaded mechanically and transported to the beneficiation plant on chain and belt conveyors. Coal extraction leads to frequent extension and shifting of conveyor setup which involves large number of manpower. It also leads to the exhaustion of upper seams coal in the mines and the miners are forced to carry out mining operations in the lower seams. The lower seams have inferior quality of coal reserves with wider variation in ash percentage resulting into clean coal yield of poor quality.This method of mining is hazardous and poses a threat to the safety and health of the people employed in the activity.
The strategy at Tata Steel is driven by continuous efforts to stay alert and respond to initiatives that drive change. In order to reduce exposure of manpower without compromising on production and productivity level, Tata Steel adopted the Load Haul Dumper mechanism(LHD). LHD is a specialised loading machine manufactured for the underground mining industry. LHD scoops the blasted coal in its bucket, hauls it to chute, and dumps it in the chute which is then conveyed via chain conveyors on to the belt conveyor for upward transportation to wash plants.
The first LHD was set-up on 10h November 2011, at Jharia, in a timeframe of six- and-a- half months. LHD operations posed various difficulties in different collieries in the initial few months. However, they were solved by in-house techniques and with the help of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). An Annual Rate Contract was placed with OEM initially to meet the demand for LHD’s spare parts.
Most of these problems were due to augmentation of new ventilation arrangements, evacuation circuit, stowing sufficiency, spare part availability and in general, deficiency in operators’ skill, since this was a completely new system for the division. The teams at Jharia have been successful in stabilising the machines at Digwadih, Jamadoba and Pits 6 and 7 and have understood the benefits of using LHD.
The introduction of LHD at Jharia has greatly benefited the miners engaged in day-to-day mining activities. They are benefitted not only in terms of guaranteed protection from health hazards but also resulted in reduction of handling coal by the workers. Many engineering control measures have been adopted to reduce the noise levels of different heavy machinery.
Sheel Bhadra Karjee, a miner at Tata Steel’s Digwadih colliery, talks of the impact of technology, like LHD, in mining activities; he mentions that mining in the lower seams would cause severe breathing problems for him and he developed a skin infection due to direct contact with unprocessed inferior quality coal. However, with the arrival of technology like LHD, today, a trained worker operates the machine and they are able to extract more coal as the machine is able to load coal quickly and safely.
Sheel recalls a study conducted at Digwadih mine in Jharia, to evaluate the impact of the Load Haul Dumper mechanism on mine productivity and employee exposure highlighted the following results:
Two side discharge loader machines along with its accessory equipment’s were reduced without compromising on the health and safety of the miners; LHD was able to maintain high levels of productivity.
As a miner with basic formal education, Sheel, who has spent the better part of his life in the mines of Jharia, was able to list many advantages of LHD:
- 80 per cent reduction in chain conveyor extension jobs per month.
- Reducing the risk of exposure for employees in underground mines.
- Prevents the probability of having accidents and tragic consequences when extracting coal.
- Improvement in morale of workers by providing a safer working environment.
Although LHD has reduced the exposure of employees in underground mines, the team at Jharia looks to introduce blast-less mining technology where exposure of employees in underground mines is expected to further go down.
Tata Steel’s practice of returning to society evokes trust among consumers, employees, shareholders and the community. The values-driven organisation focuses on employee and society’s welfare and not just profit maximisation. The core values of integrity, responsibility and excellence at Tata Steel are highlighted by its efforts to improve the working conditions of the workforce in its mines at Jharia.
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Economy & Market
Conveyor belts are a vital link in the supply chain
Published
8 months agoon
June 16, 2025By
admin
Kamlesh Jain, Managing Director, Elastocon, discusses how the brand delivers high-performance, customised conveyor belt solutions for demanding industries like cement, mining, and logistics, while embracing innovation, automation, and sustainability.
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, efficient material handling isn’t just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage. As industries such as mining, cement, steel and logistics push for higher productivity, automation, and sustainability, the humble conveyor belt has taken on a mission-critical role. In this exclusive interview, Kamlesh Jain, Managing Director, Elastocon, discusses how the company is innovating for tougher terrains, smarter systems and a greener tomorrow.
Brief us about your company – in terms of its offerings, manufacturing facilities, and the key end-user industries it serves.
Elastocon, a flagship brand of the Royal Group, is a trusted name in the conveyor belt manufacturing industry. Under the brand name ELASTOCON, the company produces both open-end and endless belts, offering tailor-made solutions to some of the most demanding sectors such as cement, steel, power, mining, fertiliser, and logistics. Every belt is meticulously engineered—from fabric selection to material composition—to ensure optimal performance in tough working conditions. With advanced manufacturing facilities and strict quality protocols, Elastocon continues to deliver high-performance conveyor solutions designed for durability, safety, and efficiency.
How is the group addressing the needs for efficient material handling?
Efficient material handling is the backbone of any industrial operation. At Elastocon, our engineering philosophy revolves around creating belts that deliver consistent performance, long operational life, and minimal maintenance. We focus on key performance parameters such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance, tear strength, and low elongation at working tension. Our belts are designed to offer superior bonding between plies and covers, which directly impacts their life and reliability. We also support clients
with maintenance manuals and technical advice, helping them improve their system’s productivity and reduce downtime.
How critical are conveyor belts in ensuring seamless material handling?
Conveyor belts are a vital link in the supply chain across industries. In sectors like mining, cement, steel, and logistics, they facilitate the efficient movement of materials and help maintain uninterrupted production flows. At Elastocon, we recognise the crucial role of belts in minimising breakdowns and increasing plant uptime. Our belts are built to endure abrasive, high-temperature, or high-load environments. We also advocate proper system maintenance, including correct belt storage, jointing, roller alignment, and idler checks, to ensure smooth and centered belt movement, reducing operational interruptions.
What are the key market and demand drivers for the conveyor belt industry?
The growth of the conveyor belt industry is closely tied to infrastructure development, increased automation, and the push for higher operational efficiency. As industries strive to reduce labor dependency and improve productivity, there is a growing demand for advanced material handling systems. Customers today seek not just reliability, but also cost-effectiveness and technical superiority in the belts they choose. Enhanced product aesthetics and innovation in design are also becoming significant differentiators. These trends are pushing manufacturers to evolve continuously, and Elastocon is leading the way with customer-centric product development.
How does Elastocon address the diverse and evolving requirements of these sectors?
Our strength lies in offering a broad and technically advanced product portfolio that serves various industries. For general-purpose applications, our M24 and DINX/W grade belts offer excellent abrasion resistance, especially for RMHS and cement plants. For high-temperature operations, we provide HR and SHR T2 grade belts, as well as our flagship PYROCON and PYROKING belts, which can withstand extreme heat—up to 250°C continuous and even 400°C peak—thanks to advanced EPM polymers.
We also cater to sectors with specialised needs. For fire-prone environments like underground mining, we offer fire-resistant belts certified to IS 1891 Part V, ISO 340, and MSHA standards. Our OR-grade belts are designed for oil and chemical resistance, making them ideal for fertiliser and chemical industries. In high-moisture applications like food and agriculture, our MR-grade belts ensure optimal performance. This diverse range enables us to meet customer-specific challenges with precision and efficiency.
What core advantages does Elastocon offer that differentiate it from competitors?
Elastocon stands out due to its deep commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Every belt is customised to the client’s requirements, supported by a strong R&D foundation that keeps us aligned with global standards and trends. Our customer support doesn’t end at product delivery—we provide ongoing technical assistance and after-sales service that help clients maximise the value of their investments. Moreover, our focus on compliance and certifications ensures our belts meet stringent national and international safety and performance standards, giving customers added confidence.
How is Elastocon gearing up to meet its customers’ evolving needs?
We are conscious of the shift towards greener and smarter manufacturing practices. Elastocon is embracing sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient manufacturing techniques. In parallel, we are developing belts that seamlessly integrate with automated systems and smart industrial platforms. Our vision is to make our products not just high-performing but also future-ready—aligned with global sustainability goals and compatible with emerging technologies in industrial automation and predictive maintenance.
What trends do you foresee shaping the future of the conveyor belt industry?
The conveyor belt industry is undergoing a significant transformation. As Industry 4.0 principles gain traction, we expect to see widespread adoption of smart belts equipped with sensors for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. The demand for recyclable materials and sustainable designs will continue to grow. Furthermore, industry-specific customisation will increasingly replace standardisation, and belts will be expected to do more than just transport material—they will be integrated into intelligent production systems. Elastocon is already investing in these future-focused areas to stay ahead of the curve.
Advertising or branding is never about driving sales. It’s about creating brand awareness and recall. It’s about conveying the core values of your brand to your consumers. In this context, why is branding important for cement companies? As far as the customers are concerned cement is simply cement. It is precisely for this reason that branding, marketing and advertising of cement becomes crucial. Since the customer is unable to differentiate between the shades of grey, the onus of creating this awareness is carried by the brands. That explains the heavy marketing budgets, celebrity-centric commercials, emotion-invoking taglines and campaigns enunciating the many benefits of their offerings.
Marketing strategies of cement companies have undergone gradual transformation owing to the change in consumer behaviour. While TV commercials are high on humour and emotions to establish a fast connect with the customer, social media campaigns are focussed more on capturing the consumer’s attention in an over-crowded virtual world. Branding for cement companies has become a holistic growth strategy with quantifiable results. This has made brands opt for a mix package of traditional and new-age tools, such as social media. However, the hero of every marketing communication is the message, which encapsulates the unique selling points of the product. That after all is crux of the matter here.
While cement companies are effectively using marketing tools to reach out to the consumers, they need to strengthen the four Cs of the branding process – Consumer, Cost, Communication and Convenience. Putting up the right message, at the right time and at the right place for the right kind of customer demographic is of utmost importance in the long run. It is precisely for this reason that regional players are likely to have an upper hand as they rely on local language and cultural references to drive home the point. But modern marketing and branding domain is exponentially growing and it would be an interesting exercise to tabulate and analyse its impact on branding for cement.
Refractory demands in our kiln have changed
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Refractory demands in our kiln have changed
Digital supply chain visibility is critical
Redefining Efficiency with Digitalisation
Cement Additives for Improved Grinding Efficiency
Digital Pathways for Sustainable Manufacturing
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