TEXMiN IIT(ISM) Dhanbad Launches India’s First Private 5G-Powered Digital Mining Infrastructure Lab
On December 9, 2025, the Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation (TEXMiN) at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad inaugurated the Digital Mining Infrastructure (DMI) Lab. This facility is a significant milestone in India’s transition towards advanced Mining 4.0 capabilities, being the first dedicated private 5G-enabled mining technology testbed in the country.
Inauguration Ceremony
The DMI Lab was formally inaugurated by Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Government of India. The ceremony also featured notable attendees such as:
- Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad & Chairman, Hub Governing Board, TEXMiN Foundation
- Dr. Parag Agrawal, Deputy Director General, TTDF, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India
Funding and Purpose
The DMI Lab is funded jointly under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It serves as an advanced national facility designed to empower startups, researchers, mining companies, and technology developers. The goal is to design, test, and deploy solutions tailored for India’s challenging and remote mining environments.
Supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision
This initiative is a crucial enabler of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, which aims to strengthen India’s technological independence by fostering homegrown innovations in critical and strategic mining infrastructure. Dr. Parag Agrawal emphasized the importance of this lab, stating:
“The establishment of the Digital Mining Infrastructure Lab marks a pivotal moment in applying advanced telecom technologies to mission-critical sectors. Private 5G-enabled mining innovation was once a theoretical ambition; today, it is a functioning reality.”
Technological Advancements
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad & Project Director, TEXMiN Foundation, highlighted that Mining 4.0 demands intelligent systems, real-time analytics, and cyber-physical integration. He noted that the DMI Lab has indigenized this entire innovation stack, representing a technological leap for India.
Vision for Future Mining
Suraj Prakash, Chief Executive Officer of TEXMiN Foundation, described the DMI Lab as more than just a technology testbed. He stated:
“Our vision is to ensure that India’s mining sector evolves with a digital-first DNA, setting global benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and safety.”
Features of the DMI Lab
The DMI Lab addresses a critical national need by creating a secure ecosystem for developing and testing cyber-physical mining technologies. This facility supports the 4S vision of Smart, Safe, Sustainable, and Social Mining. Key features of the lab include:
- Private 5G network for high-speed, secure communication in remote mines
- Digital Twinning of mining environments for predictive modeling and operation planning
- AI/ML-powered analytics for real-time insights and automated decision-making
- Intelligent IoT sensor networks for environmental, safety, and operational monitoring
- Remote operation systems enabling tele-mining from control centers
- Advanced edge computing and distributed cloud architecture
- Immersive holographic visualization for training and hazard assessment
- Precision drones and autonomous systems for inspection, mapping, and surveillance
- All-weather command and control stations designed for rugged mining terrains
National Hub for Mining Technologies
With built-in capabilities for multi-sensor data analysis, connectivity testing, automation trials, and simulated mine operations, the DMI Lab serves as a national hub for creating indigenous, scalable, and commercially deployable mining technologies. This initiative is a historic collaboration among multiple Indian startups, IIT(ISM) researchers, and TEXMiN’s deep technology ecosystem.
Conclusion
The establishment of the DMI Lab represents a significant stride towards establishing global leadership in Mining 4.0 innovation and reducing dependency on imported technologies. It embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration needed to propel India’s mining sector into a technologically advanced future.
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members.
