Jharkhand

• 11 Jan 2025

‘5G Use Case Test Lab’ Inaugurated in Ranchi

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Minister for Coal and Mines inaugurated the ‘5G Use Case Test Lab’ at the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.  

• The facility aims to advance the coal sector’s digital transformation and technological capabilities. 

 Key Points 

• Sustainable Art Showcase: 
  • The minister unveiled a ‘Replica of CMPDI services’ sculpture made from industrial scrap material, showcasing CMPDI’s services in geomatics, exploration, and environmental monitoring. 
  • The installation emphasizes recycling and sustainable practices in art. 
  • The Minister also launched CMPDI’s new corporate logo. 
• 5G Use Case Lab: 
  • Features: 
    • The lab serves as a scaled-down representation of an Industry 5G Private Network, tailored for the coal sector. 
  • Capabilities: 
    • Integrates 5G Radio, Core technologies, Edge/Cloud IT/OT applications, and 5G-enabled devices. 
    • Supports voice, video, and data communication applications. 
    • Includes IIoT sensors for vehicle management and other applications. 
  • Objectives: 
    • Develop 5G use cases such as predictive maintenance, smart mining, and real-time monitoring. 
    • Create a replicable model of a 5G private network for real-world applications. 
  • Future Applications: 
    • Implement advanced technologies like digital twins, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and AR/VR for operational optimization. 
• Benefits to the Coal Industry: 
  • Reliable, high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support mission-critical operations. 
  • Real-time data exchange for better decision-making and streamlined processes. 
  • The private captive network ensures data generated during operations remains with Coal India Limited (CIL). 
  • Adoption of 5G will improve efficiency and safety in mining operations. 

 Coal India Limited  

• About:  
  • CIL is a state-owned coal mining corporation in India, responsible for producing and managing coal resources in the country.  
    • It was founded in 1975 and is the world's largest coal producer.  
• Organisational Structure:  
  • CIL is classified as a 'Maharatna' public sector enterprise and operates through 8 subsidiaries like Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).  
  • Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is CIL’s largest coal-producing subsidiary.  
• Strategic Importance:  
  • Over half of India’s installed power capacity is coal-based, with CIL supplying around 78% of the country’s total coal production.   
  • Coal also accounts for 40% of India’s primary commercial energy needs.  
• Mining Capacity:  
  • Across eight Indian states, CIL operates in 84 mining areas, and manages a total of 313 active mines.