Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Mining Department has launched a pilot project using satellite technology to crack down on illegal mining in Madhya Pradesh. The initiative began in May, and its first trial has been completed successfully. The department now plans to expand the satellite-based monitoring system across the entire state within two months.
A senior official from the Mining Department said that despite multiple measures in place, illegal mining has not been fully controlled. To strengthen oversight, the department is now turning to the Mining Surveillance System (MSS), which uses satellite imaging to track mining activity.
Madhya Pradesh has around 7,500 mines, including both major and minor ones. As part of the pilot, select regions have been placed under satellite watch since May.
All mines have been geo-referenced and their boundaries digitally frozen. When the satellite passes over a mine every month, it compares the latest data with the previous 30 days. If any new excavation is detected outside the approved boundary, the system automatically generates an alert.
These alerts are sent to Collector and the Mining Officer concerned via a dedicated app. Physical verification is then conducted, and if illegal mining is confirmed, a case is registered. Officials said that the first round of MSS testing has already been carried out with success.
Dept goes high-tech
Principal Secretary of the Mining Department Umakant Umarao told Free Press: “We have adopted MSS to check illegal mining in the state. In coming months, it will be implemented across the state in full throttle. As of now, it is under pilot project.”
