IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Partners AGI for Smart Mining Tech

Synopsis: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s TEXMiN and Airborne Geoscience International partner to develop AI-powered mineral exploration tools that integrate geoscience data to accelerate critical mineral discovery in India.

The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad has entered into a strategic partnership with Airborne Geoscience International (AGI) to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning-based tools for critical mineral exploration. The collaboration is being led by TEXMiN, the Technology Innovation and Translation Research Park at IIT (ISM), and aims to strengthen India's capabilities in identifying and evaluating mineral resources using advanced digital technologies.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and AGI will jointly develop proprietary AI-powered systems tailored to Indian geological conditions. These systems will integrate and analyse multiple geoscience datasets, including geological, geophysical, and geochemical and Geographic Information System (GIS) data, to generate high-value mineral exploration targets and rank them based on their prospectivity.

The initiative seeks to reduce uncertainty during the early stages of mineral exploration by combining airborne and ground geophysical surveys with artificial intelligence and machine learning. The resulting platform is expected to improve the speed, consistency and accuracy of identifying critical and deep-seated mineral deposits while creating India's first comprehensive AI-enabled mineral prospectivity database.

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The partnership aligns with India's growing emphasis on securing domestic supplies of critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, electronics and advanced manufacturing. It also supports the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to strengthen exploration, reduce import dependence and build resilient mineral supply chains.

Beyond technology development, the collaboration will promote research, innovation and knowledge exchange between academia and industry. Researchers from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad will contribute expertise in artificial intelligence, mineral prospectivity modelling and data analytics, while AGI will provide advanced airborne geoscience technologies and exploration capabilities. Together, the partners aim to develop field-ready solutions that can support policymakers, exploration agencies and mining companies in making more informed decisions.

The AI-driven platform is also expected to attract greater investment in India's mineral exploration sector by improving the reliability of exploration data and helping identify promising resource locations more efficiently. Enhanced analytical capabilities could significantly reduce exploration costs and timelines while supporting sustainable resource development.

The collaboration marks an important step in integrating artificial intelligence with geoscience and mining research. By combining cutting-edge AI technologies with advanced exploration methods, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and AGI aim to strengthen India's mineral security, accelerate critical mineral discoveries and contribute to the country's long-term goals of technological self-reliance, clean energy transition and sustainable economic growth.