Mineros S.A. Partners With IIT Kharagpur’s Vikram Sodhi Center for AI-Enabled Mining
On April 27, 2026, Mineros S.A., a prominent Latin American gold mining company, announced a strategic partnership with the Vikram Sodhi Center of Excellence for Enabling Artificial Intelligence in Geological and Mining Systems, which is part of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. This collaboration marks a significant step towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the mining industry, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
About the Partnership
The Vikram Sodhi Center has been established with a philanthropic donation of approximately US$1.8 million (INR 150 million) from Vikram Sodhi, the Vice Chairman of Mineros. This funding will support the Center for its first five years, focusing on the development of advanced AI systems that can be practically applied across the mining value chain.
As a key industrial partner, Mineros will utilize its operations in the Bajo Cauca region of Antioquia as a “Living Laboratory.” This innovative approach allows for real-time deployment, testing, and refinement of AI technologies in active mining environments, facilitating a quicker transition from research to scalable implementation.
Key Areas of Focus
The partnership will initially target several critical areas:
- Predictive Maintenance: Utilizing AI to anticipate equipment failures through sensor-based systems, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
- Metallurgical Optimization: Enhancing the recovery and throughput of mined materials.
- Real-Time Operational Monitoring: Implementing systems that provide continuous oversight of mining operations to improve efficiency and safety.
Over time, the collaboration is expected to expand across five integrated verticals:
- Exploration: Target identification through advanced data analysis.
- Mine Planning: Optimization of extraction sequences and resource utilization.
- Processing: Enhancements in recovery rates and throughput efficiency.
- Predictive Maintenance: Continued focus on sensor-based systems for failure anticipation.
- ESG Analytics: Continuous environmental and governance monitoring to ensure sustainable practices.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Analytics
A significant priority for Mineros within this partnership will be the development of ESG analytics capabilities. These capabilities will be supported by sensor-based monitoring systems that track key environmental variables, including:
- Water quality
- Particulate emissions
- Geotechnical stability
- Tailings performance
- Biodiversity indicators
- Carbon intensity per tonne produced
This data-driven approach to environmental management will enable Mineros to make informed decisions that enhance sustainability and compliance with environmental regulations.
Quotes from Leadership
Vikram Sodhi, Vice Chairman of Mineros, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This initiative brings together world-class scientific expertise with real-world operating environments in Colombia. Our objective is to advance data-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, improve safety, and strengthen environmental performance across the mining value chain.”
Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building
The partnership also aims to establish a knowledge corridor between India and Colombia. This corridor will facilitate the exchange of researchers, engineers, and doctoral students, fostering the development of local capabilities in geosciences, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing.
Founded in 1951, IIT Kharagpur is recognized as one of the leading engineering and technology institutions worldwide. Through this collaboration, Mineros intends to position Colombia as a strategic platform for applying artificial intelligence in mining, with the potential to scale successful solutions across its broader portfolio and internationally.
About Mineros S.A.
Mineros S.A. is a Latin American gold mining company with producing assets in Colombia, specifically the Nechí Alluvial Property, and Nicaragua, where it operates the HEMCO Property. The company also holds development-stage assets, including La Colosa in Tolima, Colombia, La Pepa in Atacama, Chile, and the Porvenir polymetallic project in Nicaragua. Mineros is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSA), OTCQX (OTCQX: MNSAF), and the Colombian Stock Exchange (BVC: MINEROS).
Conclusion
The partnership between Mineros S.A. and IIT Kharagpur’s Vikram Sodhi Center for AI-Enabled Mining represents a significant advancement in the mining industry, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. As the collaboration unfolds, it is expected to set new standards in the integration of artificial intelligence within the mining sector.
Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Mineros S.A. and reflects the information available as of April 27, 2026.
