MEAI seminar focuses on geotechnical solutions for slope management in Sukinda mines
By Barnali Pal
Sukinda, Sept. 20: The Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter of the Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI) organised a technical seminar on “Geotechnical Solutions for Slope Management in Open Cast Mines” at Kathapala in Sukinda, with Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR), Vedanta, as the host.
The seminar focused on slope stability and management of mine benches and waste dumps, among the most critical technical challenges facing open cast mining operations in the mineral-rich Sukinda Valley. With mines becoming deeper and their geometry increasingly complex, scientific assessment of slope behaviour and adoption of appropriate geotechnical solutions have assumed greater significance for safe and sustainable mining.
Nearly 50 senior mining professionals and technical personnel from leading mining and metals companies operating in and around the valley participated in the programme. The participating organisations included IMFA, Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), Balasore Alloys and other industry majors.
The technical programme featured four expert sessions covering geotechnical investigations, slope stability, mine bench management, waste dump stability and emerging approaches to addressing slope-related challenges in open cast mines.
The sessions provided participants an opportunity to examine new technologies, scientific methodologies and practical solutions for improved slope design, monitoring and management.
Welcoming the participants, MEAI Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter Vice-Chairman Shambhunath Jha stressed the importance of bringing mining professionals from across the valley onto a common platform to deliberate on shared technical challenges and exchange field experience.
Chapter Chairman Sushanta Kumar Mishra, who inaugurated the seminar, called for greater technical collaboration among mining companies and wider adoption of scientific and innovative approaches to tackle geotechnical challenges in open cast mining.
The programme was hosted by Muthumari M, Head–Mines, FACOR, Vedanta. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Devraj Tiwari, Joint Secretary, MEAI Bhubaneswar-Sukinda Chapter.
The seminar underlined the need for continuous geotechnical assessment, scientific slope management, technological intervention and industry-wide knowledge sharing to improve safety, operational reliability and sustainability in Sukinda Valley’s open cast mines.
