India: To keep a track on leakages of minerals during transportation, the state govt of Orissa will introduce a GPS-based tracking system for vehicles by August. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state-level task force on mining chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi. The move will also streamline the regulation of mineral transportation.
A database will be made of all mineral transactions in the state, including import, export and internal consumption figures. “It was decided to make installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) mandatory for all mineral-carrying vehicles by August. The Orissa Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) has prepared a proposal in this regard, which was approved by the government,” mines director Deepak Mohanty said.
Padhi called for the development of a differential global positioning system (DGPS) for regular satellite checking of mining activities at the ground level. He also advised ORSAC to carry forward satellite monitoring of mining activities and keep the department informed regularly for action in case of violations.
Meanwhile, Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), in collaboration with MSTC Ltd, has put in place e-tendering system for engagement of transport agencies. All the lessees, end-user industries and transport agencies have been asked to sign the service provider agreement with MSTC.
Source: Orissa Post
