The government of Uttar Pradesh is utilising modern technologies, including drones and satellites, powered by Artificial Intelligence, to prevent illegal mining and the transportation of minerals throughout the state. This has resulted in more than 21,000 vehicles that were involved in illegal transportation being banned.
To monitor the mining vehicles and track the overloaded vehicles in the state, UP government is using smart check gates built with the supervision of IoT, artificial intelligence, and weigh-in-motion. Geo-referenced maps of quarries that are still in use and that are shut down are very helpful in curbing illegal mining by simply monitoring the movements of vehicles in the area, using drone cameras.
Let's learn how technologies like RFID, IoT-powered weigh-in-motion sensors, drones, and geo fencing can be employed for preventing the illegal mining and transportation of assets within the state.
This blog will help in understanding how these technologies will work effectively in controlling illegal mining works.
How does Illegal Mining Work in India?
Illegal mining, as the term suggests, refers to the extraction of minerals and ores from land and water bodies without obtaining any necessary licenses or government approvals. Illegal mining in an unauthorised area involves the violation of environmental, labour, and safety standards. Toxic or dangerous chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury, are frequently used in illegal mining, which can have detrimental effects on the health of miners and the communities around them. It happens in most remote areas of many states in India where administration fails to maintain rules and prevent illegal mining by rampant outlaws or mining mafias.
UP State Govt’s Efforts to Curb Illegal Mining
The state of Uttar Pradesh is now focusing on implementing technology-based measures to control illegal mining activities and transportation of illegally mined resources in the state. Under the supervision of Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), the mining activities are being monitored through drone technologies, geo-fencing, RFID technology, and weigh-in-motion(WIM) technology to precisely track overloaded vehicles.
The government tracks vehicles, keeps an eye on mining areas, and detects illicit activity using a variety of technologies. Drones, RFID tags on vehicles, geofencing, and check gates with artificial intelligence are some examples of these technologies. A central command centre is connected to fifty-seven IoT and AI-powered unmanned checkpoints spread across twenty-five districts in the state where illegal mining is rampant.
They have started campaigns to increase public awareness and promote reporting, and they train stakeholders on automated solutions.
RFID Tags for Vehicle Identification
a. Authorised mining vehicles have RFID tags attached to them that hold important data like the vehicle's registration number, contractor information, and tare weight.
b. To read the tags, RFID readers at weighbridges, toll gates, and entry/exit points electronically collect data about the trucks and their contents and send it to a central server.
c. The system may be used, in part, to stop illegal activity by verifying whether a truck is permitted to be in a particular location with a particular load.
d. Additionally, RFID tags make it possible to track vehicles as they travel along transport routes and through mining areas to delivery locations.
e. This data can be used to track the amount of material moved, detect unauthorised diversions, and keep an eye on adherence to approved routes.
f. For instance, the system can mark a vehicle as suspicious for follow-ups if it attempts to enter the mining site without a valid RFID Windshield Tag or an authorised tag, or if it passes the toll gate carrying sand.
Weigh in Motion to Check Overloading of Trucks on Mining Routes
a. When mining trucks and freight carriers are moving, their weight is recorded using WIM (Weigh in Motion) systems. These IoT sensors reduce the possibility of overloading, which is a major problem in illicit mining operations where operators nearly always overload their sanctioned payloads in order to make illicit profit.
b. WIM systems respond to the illicit transportation of minerals by automatically recording weights, axle loads, and other data, preventing various violations of vehicle-compliant weight regulations.
c. WIM systems give operators instant access to information by sending data to analyse as it is recorded. The immediate data allows for operators to take action against any illegal mining activities and reinforces compliance.
d. Increased digital transparency and a reduction in the time required to enforce illegally mined areas are demonstrated by the potential integration of WIM systems with other systems that grant environmental clearance certificates.
e. WIM technology can reduce the environmental impact of illicit mining and the related costs of road damage by encouraging safer and regulated transportation operations.
Drones and Geo-fencing to Prevent Illegal Mining
Real-time surveys and inspections of mining operations and sites are conducted by drones equipped with cameras, RFID Readers, and other sensors. Authorities can detect illegal mining, track changes in land patterns, and perform volumetric analysis of extracted mineral mass by using the detailed imagery captured by aerial surveys.
In order to create geo-referenced maps of quarries that are still in use as well as those that have been shut down, some drones can also gather 3D images that provide comprehensive information on the boring depth.
Using GPS technology, geo-fencing creates a virtual fence around mining areas. Alerts are sent out if a drone, car, or piece of equipment equipped with GPS devices crosses these legally defined limits, enabling regulators to take swift action.
To conclude, all things considered, the state government's actions will greatly reduce illicit mining activity, acting as a deterrent. According to a senior state government official, "better transparency has been achieved and mining mafias have probably been curtailed by having a regular inspection schedule and monitored inspections with technology.
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Frequently Asked Questions on RFID and Illegal Mining
1. What does "illegal mining" mean?
The removal of minerals without authorised mining rights is known as illegal mining, and it frequently violates safety and environmental regulations.
2. What technologies is the UP government leveraging to monitor illegal mining?
Drones, satellites, RFID tags, IoT-enabled weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors, and geo-fencing are among the technologies being used.
3. What are the functions of RFID tags?
By preventing unauthorised vehicles from entering and limiting the tracking of the transportation process, RFID tags will assist in identifying and tracking legitimate vehicles operating in the mining industry.
4. Describe weigh-in-motion (WIM)
Weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors can detect excessive weight on trucks in real time, preventing the transportation of dangerous and unlawful minerals.
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