Archive · 30 Jan 2026
ECL Uses AI Drones for Environmental Monitoring
Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is using special drones with artificial intelligence to help take care of the environment around their coal mines.
These drones take detailed pictures and collect data to check how well plants are growing and if the land is healing after mining.
This helps ECL make sure they are following environmental rules and doing their part to keep the area green and healthy.
The drones work with other high-tech tools to make sure the information is accurate and useful for future planning.
The project is happening in the Sonepur Bazari Area, where there is a lot of mining activity, and it aims to reduce pollution from coal dust.
ECL is using AI-driven drones for environmental monitoring and scientific reclamation in the Sonepur Bazari Area.
The initiative aims to decrease coal dust pollution and ensure environmental compliance through advanced digital tools.
The project involves high-resolution drone surveys, geo-spatial analytics, and vegetation health analysis.
The first phase of the drone survey has been completed, but the primary data is still being processed.
The area has 240.93 hectares of forest land and 477 hectares of social forestry cover, with planned plantation on 182 hectares of backfill and 68 hectares of overburden soil.
- Who
- Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)
- What
- Deployment of AI-driven drones for environmental monitoring and scientific reclamation
- When
- Ongoing, with the first phase of the drone survey completed
- Where
- Sonepur Bazari Area of ECL
- Why
- To decrease coal dust pollution, ensure environmental compliance, and promote sustainable mining practices
- Organization
- Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)
- Location
- Sonepur Bazari Area
- Technology Used
- AI-driven drones, orthomosaic mapping, GIS, GPS, vegetation health analysis
- Research Partner
- Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)
- Forest Land
- 240.93 hectares
- Social Forestry Cover
- 477 hectares
- Planned Plantation Areas
- 182 hectares (backfill) and 68 hectares (overburden soil)