In a significant move aimed at transforming India’s mining landscape, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad–TEXMiN Foundation has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Odisha Mining Corporation. The collaboration is focused on strengthening capacity building, fostering research and innovation, and advancing safe, sustainable and digitally enabled mining practices across the sector.
The TEXMiN Foundation, a Technology Translation Research Park supported by the Department of Science and Technology, will work closely with OMC, a Government of Odisha undertaking, to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The partnership is expected to enhance institutional capabilities and accelerate modernization within mining operations.
Highlighting the importance of the collaboration, Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Project Director of TEXMiN Foundation, stated that the partnership reflects a shared vision to build future-ready capabilities in the mining sector. He emphasised that combining academic excellence with translational research and industry engagement would help create a strong framework for professional development and technology-driven transformation.
Echoing similar sentiments, Alok Kumar Pal, Director (HR) at OMC, noted that the collaboration would strengthen internal capabilities while enabling the adoption of global best practices. He added that structured training, policy-oriented learning, and innovation-led engagement would support the development of a more efficient and sustainable mining ecosystem.
Under the MoU, the two institutions will collaborate across a wide range of areas. These include managerial capability enhancement, development of a continuous learning ecosystem, and joint research and innovation initiatives. The agreement also covers policy and compliance training, as well as collaborative projects and case studies aimed at solving real-world challenges in mining.
Additionally, the partnership will facilitate Management Development Programmes (MDPs) and short-term courses tailored to industry needs. Technical support will also be provided in areas such as digital transformation, productivity improvement, and the adoption of safe and sustainable mining practices.
