Mumbai: Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), has been conferred with the prestigious Eminent Engineer Award in recognition of his significant contributions, distinguished leadership and commitment to the mining industry.
The award was presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the 36th National Convention of Mining Engineers and National Seminar held in Nagpur. The event was organised by The Institution of Engineers (India) and brought together mining professionals, industry leaders, academicians and other stakeholders from across the country.
Dr Hemant Pande Honoured with Eminent Engineer Award
The Eminent Engineer Award recognises Dr. Pande’s contributions to mining engineering and the broader mining industry. His leadership has been associated with WCL’s focus on operational excellence, technological advancement, safety, sustainability and improved organisational performance.
The award ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including:
- Maharashtra Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal
- Bikram Ghosh, Director (Finance & HR), WCL
- Ajay Madhukar Mhetre, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), WCL
The recognition is also considered an honour for the entire WCL family and highlights the role of leadership and collective efforts in strengthening India’s mining sector.
Read also: WCL Director (Finance) Bikram Ghosh Honoured with ‘Asia’s Most Influential CFO’ Award in Bengaluru
Dr Pande Calls for Nagpur to Become Mining Capital of India
Addressing the convention, Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande said that Nagpur should be developed as the mining capital of the country. He noted that this vision was one of the key thoughts behind organising the national convention in the city.
Dr. Pande highlighted WCL’s efforts to diversify beyond conventional coal mining and said the company has identified 18 critical minerals and rare earth elements across 12 mines.
He outlined WCL’s broader vision of transforming the Vidarbha region from a resource-rich area into a value-added, high-income resource hub.
WCL Focuses on Critical Minerals and New Mining Opportunities
Dr. Pande highlighted several emerging areas that are expected to shape the future of mining and regional development.
These include:
- Exploration and purification of critical minerals and rare earth elements
- Development of a proposed coal-gasification hub at Majri
- Promotion of Make in India
- Support for Production Linked Incentive (PLI) initiatives
- Encouragement of Start-up India
- Focus on Skill India
- Water conservation
- Environmental sustainability
- Ecotourism and land repurposing
The initiatives reflect WCL’s efforts to expand into new areas while supporting sustainable mining and India’s broader economic and energy-security objectives.
Prof. S K Bose Memorial Lecture on Responsible Mining
Following the inaugural session, Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande delivered the prestigious Prof. S K Bose Memorial Lecture.
In his address, he discussed the changing landscape of India’s mining sector and emphasised the need for responsible and technology-driven mining.
Key areas highlighted during the lecture included:
- Responsible mining practices
- Environmental concerns and sustainability
- Adoption of the latest technologies
- Converting mine waste into productive opportunities
- Critical minerals and rare earth elements
- Coal gasification
- Land repurposing
- Commercial bamboo plantations
- Wider use of AI and robotics
- Real-time monitoring systems
Dr. Pande also discussed the future of mining in the context of Viksit Bharat 2047, stressing the importance of technology, innovation and sustainable practices in preparing India’s mining industry for the coming decades.
WCL Highlights History, Achievements and Future Plans
During the convention, Bikram Ghosh, Director (HR/Finance), WCL, delivered a presentation covering the company’s history, major initiatives, achievements, future plans and contribution to national development.
The presentation highlighted WCL’s role in supporting India’s energy requirements while pursuing technological advancement, sustainability and organisational growth.
The convention also provided a platform for mining professionals and stakeholders to discuss contemporary challenges, technological developments, innovation and the future direction of India’s mining sector.
34 Technical Papers to Be Presented at Convention
The technical proceedings of the convention continued with the presentation of research and professional papers.
A total of 34 papers are scheduled to be presented during the two-day convention, covering various aspects of mining engineering, technology, innovation and industry development.
The participation of mining engineers, professionals, academicians and industry stakeholders made the convention an important platform for exchanging ideas and discussing solutions for the evolving needs of India’s mining sector.
About Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Short
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited engaged in coal mining operations, primarily serving the energy requirements of western and central India. The company operates mines in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and focuses on safe and efficient mining, technological advancement, environmental sustainability and diversification into emerging areas such as critical minerals. WCL plays an important role in supporting India’s energy security and contributing to national economic development.
Read also: WCL CMD Hemant Sharad Pande Reviews Mining Operations and Coal Dispatch in Nagpur
