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iCEM

Enabling the Future of Mining

The International Centre of Excellence in Mining Safety & Automation (iCEM) is GMDC’s flagship initiative to shape the future of sustainable, technology-enabled mining in India. Established by GMDC in partnership with the Government of Gujarat, iCEM is envisioned as a national knowledge and innovation hub committed to advancing safer, smarter and more efficient mining practices.

Positioned at the intersection of innovation, skill-building and sectoral collaboration, iCEM works to accelerate the mining sector’s readiness for global shifts—be it the growing demand for critical minerals, the transition to digital operations, or evolving safety standards. The centre acts as both a testbed and training ground—fast-tracking the deployment of emerging technologies through pilot trials and nurturing human capital through targeted learning programmes.

Developing Tomorrow’s Mining Leaders

As part of GMDC’s Young Leaders Program (YLP), iCEM has led structured induction and capability-building programmes for new recruits from premier institutions like IIMs, IITs and NITs. In FY 2024–25, iCEM delivered two tailored four-week induction modules, equipping over 45 young professionals with a deep understanding of GMDC’s vision, values and operations through classroom sessions, workshops, field immersions and role assessments.

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Skill Development and Learning Ecosystem

To institutionalise a learning-first culture, iCEM worked closely with GMDC’s teams to design an annual training calendar. Over the past year, the centre conducted 18 focused training programmes across 116 days, engaging 519 participants and delivering over 2,700 man-days of training. The iCEM-Dev Dholera campus is now being revitalised into a full-fledged hub for continuous learning and knowledge exchange.

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Gujarat Critical Minerals Observatory & Intelligence Centre

In alignment with India’s focus on self-reliance in critical minerals, GMDC—through iCEM—is establishing the Gujarat Critical Minerals Observatory and Intelligence Centre. Strengthened by a sizable state budget, this Centre will develop an AI-enabled database of Gujarat’s mineral reserves, map global supply chains, and foster international collaborations with institutions like Cambridge University and Monash University. The facility will serve as a strategic knowledge platform for exploration, processing technologies and innovation in critical minerals.

Strengthening Safety & Compliance

iCEM is also spearheading safety management initiatives across GMDC’s four operational lignite mines—Mata no Madh, Umarsar, Tadkeshwar and Bhavnagar. The Centre is leading the statutory review and update of Safety Management Plans (SMPs) and overseeing safety audits in alignment with CMR 2017 and Ministry of Coal guidelines. This initiative ensures compliance, improves site-level safety frameworks and supports a culture of continuous improvement.