Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has introduced its first AI-powered drone-based solution for blasting clearance and danger zone monitoring at the Jamkhani coal mine in Odisha. Developed in collaboration with Vedanta’s Spark program, this cutting-edge initiative aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency in mining.

Equipped with AI-driven software, the drone provides real-time aerial surveillance, automatically detecting and tracking human, animal, and vehicle movements within a 500-meter blasting zone. The system allows remote monitoring, live-streaming alerts on unauthorized activities, and seamless audio communication between officials, drone pilots, and blasting officers for precise coordination.

Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the company’s focus on workplace safety, stating, “The integration of AI-powered drones into our mining safety protocols represents a significant advancement in ensuring a secure work environment while enhancing monitoring and compliance.”

David Stone, CEO of Vedanta’s Coal Mines, highlighted the initiative’s impact, noting that the system sets a new standard for mine safety by enhancing situational awareness and risk management. Amitesh Sinha, VP & Head – CVC & Spark, added that the collaboration with startups like Skylark Drones reflects Vedanta’s commitment to leveraging next-generation technologies.