#### International Conference on Mining Excellence Begins Tomorrow in Udaipur

 A two-day International Conference on “Centre of Excellence in Mining – Continuous Improvement and Asset Optimization” is scheduled to commence on April 26 and 27 at Ramee Royal Resort, Udaipur. This prestigious event is jointly organized by the Mining Engineers’ Association of India (MEAI), Rajasthan Chapter Udaipur, and Hindustan Zinc Limited.

Experts and geologists from countries including China, South Africa, Zambia, Australia, Peru, Colombia, and Abu Dhabi will participate and present their research papers. Over 400 delegates from across the mining industry, including professionals from 15 Indian states, are expected to attend.

At a press conference today, MEAI Udaipur Chapter President Praveen Sharma shared that MEAI is a national body with more than 6,000 members across India and abroad. It operates 27 branches in India, with three located in Rajasthan—Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur.

He noted the pressing challenges faced by the mining sector, including declining ore grades, overexploitation of shallow deposits, delays in new discoveries, and technical demands of deep mining. Issues like resource transportation, recovery of minor metals and by-products, value addition, waste utilization, geotechnical concerns, environmental sustainability, and skilled workforce shortages were highlighted.

Former MEAI National President Arun Kothari added that the seminar will cover a wide range of technical topics including mineral exploration, excavation, environmental considerations, resource modeling, reserve estimation, efficiency in equipment use, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, automated drones, 3D printing, and electric vehicles. Legal aspects, cost optimization, and innovation in the mining sector will also be discussed.

Prof. S.S. Rathore emphasized the objective of the conference is to promote open dialogue on enhancing mining productivity, profitability, and safety through continuous improvement and asset optimization. The event will serve as a platform for exchange between key stakeholders—policy makers, engineers, managers, entrepreneurs, geologists, regulatory authorities, and academics from India and abroad.

Chapter Secretary Asif Ansari detailed that presentations will also focus on innovations in exploration and reporting, strategic importance of new-age minerals, establishment of excellence centers for safety and environment, strategic mine design, and cutting-edge technologies to convert waste into wealth.

Javier Menual, Ambassador of Peru and an expert in natural resource exploration, will chair a special technical session and enhance the event’s significance.

The inaugural session will feature Chief Guest P.N. Sharma, Director General, Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur. Distinguished guests include Bhagwati Prasad Kalal, Managing Director, Department of Mines, Collector Namit Mehta, Director of Mines and Geology Deepak Tawar, and Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Mishra. The session will be presided over by MEAI President S.N. Mathur with keynote address by Radhe Sharma from Abu Dhabi.

Approximately 25 technical papers will be presented across three sessions during the seminar. The event will conclude on April 27 and is expected to be a landmark in fostering innovation and technological advancement in mining and resource management.