Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, has introduced artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped drones to scientifically monitor green cover and land reclamation efforts at its Sonepur-Bazari mining area in West Bengal. This move marks a significant step toward incorporating advanced technology in environmental assessment and mine rehabilitation.
The initiative uses high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combined with AI and geospatial analytics for detailed evaluation of vegetation and ecological restoration. As part of the assessment, the drones conduct orthomosaic mapping, GIS- and GPS-enabled spatial validation, vegetation health checks and ecological surveys that are further verified on the ground.
The study is being carried out in collaboration with the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR). According to ECL, this integrated approach enables data-driven analysis of factors such as plantation survival rates, canopy development, species composition and spatial distribution, offering an objective measure of reclamation success.
ECL said that the use of AI and UAV technology significantly improves the accuracy, consistency and scalability of environmental monitoring compared with traditional methods, supporting better decision-making for mine closure planning and long-term ecological management.
The company operates across mining regions in West Bengal and Jharkhand and has set a coal production target of 58 million tonnes for 2025-26.