Digitalisation Can Boost Indian Mining and Metals Competitiveness by 15 Percent: FICCI–CRISIL Report

Indian mining and metals companies could achieve efficiency improvements of 10–15 percent through digitalisation and automation, a scale of gain previously sought through import safeguard duties, according to the FICCI–CRISIL report unveiled at the industry body’s second Conference on Automation, Digitalisation and Technology Integration in Mining and Metals.

Nagendra Nath Sinha, former Steel Secretary and now MD of Rodic Digital and Advisory, said technology adoption was no longer an option but a survival strategy. “With intelligent use of technology, industries can achieve efficiency improvements of 10–15 percent, equivalent to gains once sought through safeguard duties,” he told delegates.

The report projects surging demand for coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, and critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, and nickel, fuelled by infrastructure growth and the global energy transition. At the same time, it warns of resource depletion, environmental pressures, and price volatility, underscoring the need for urgent technological intervention.

Industry executives echoed the call. Sanjay Singh, Strategy Director at Jindal Steel and former Steel Secretary, said India’s steel demand would nearly double by 2030, requiring sustainable production with AI, robotics, and automation until emerging technologies like green hydrogen scale up.

Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc and ED of Vedanta Ltd, emphasised that true digitalisation means timely, actionable insights, not just dashboards, pointing to GIS-based mine management and predictive drilling as transformative.

The conference spotlighted enabling technologies such as, AI, IoT sensors, robotics, data analytics, and low-code platforms, alongside immediate safety applications such as driver fatigue monitoring and slope stability radar.

But speakers warned that digital transformation cannot be left to IT teams alone. “CEOs and senior management must drive, monitor, and resolve challenges,” Sinha said, while calling for workforce upskilling and engagement to ease fears of job displacement.

Pankaj Satija, Tata Steel executive and co-chair of FICCI’s Mining Committee, concluded that technology must link people, assets, and processes, extending into environmental monitoring. “Continuous evolution in technology adoption and workforce training is vital,” he said.

The FICCI–CRISIL study concludes that India’s mining and metals industry is at a tipping point where embracing digital innovation could unlock productivity gains, reduce risks, and strengthen global competitiveness.