Sukinda (Odisha): The Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI), Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter, organised a technical seminar on ‘Geotechnical Solutions for Slope Management in Open Cast Mines’ at Kathapala, Sukinda, in Odisha’s Jajpur district.
Muthumari M, Head – Mines, Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited, Vedanta, hosted the seminar. It focused on one of the most relevant and technically challenging aspects of open cast mining in the Sukinda Valley – effective slope management and stability of mine benches and waste dumps.
Because of the increasing depth and changing geometry of open cast mines, scientific understanding of slope behaviour and adoption of appropriate geotechnical solutions have become critical for ensuring safe and sustainable mining operations.
The seminar brought together 50 senior mining professionals and technical personnel from leading mining and metals companies operating in and around the Sukinda Valley, including IMFA, Tata Steel Limited, Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), Balasore Alloys Limited and other prominent organisations.
The technical programme featured four expert sessions covering various aspects of slope stability, geotechnical investigations, mine bench management, waste dump stability and emerging approaches for addressing slope-related challenges in open cast mines.
MEAI Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter chairman Sushanta Kumar Mishra, who inaugurated the seminar, emphasised the need for greater technical collaboration among mining companies and for adopting scientific and innovative approaches to address geotechnical challenges associated with open cast mining.
Welcoming the participants, MEAI Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter vice-chairman Shambhunath Jha highlighted the importance of bringing together mining professionals from across the valley to discuss common technical challenges and share industry experience.
The event was hosted by Shri Muthumari M, Head – Mines, Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited, Vedanta, and provided a common platform for technical interaction among mining professionals working in the region.
The seminar reinforced the importance of continuous geotechnical assessment, scientific slope management, technological interventions and sharing of industry experience to enhance safety and operational reliability in the open cast mines of the Sukinda Valley.