MEAI Ahmedabad Chapter Events

Silver Jubilee Journey of Ahmedabad Chapter

The chapter was launched on 14th June,1997 with a one-day seminar on “Safety & Environment in the Mining Industry”. Late Shri Vinay Mahajan, the then DGMS was the Chief Guest and Shri Ramesh Patel, Chairman, GMDC the guest of honour. Shri. T. V. Chowdhary, President, MEAI presided over the function. The Founder Chairman was Shri. B. K. Antia with Shri. S. N. Mathur as Secretary. It is one of the vibrant chapters among these 26 chapters and is currently celebrating its silver jubilee year. The chapter has grown over the years and currently has 315 members. It has actively organised various National and international events. The Ahmedabad chapter operates through its 4 local centres ( Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Kutch and South Gujarat) for harmonious coordination of the chapter activities. The chapter introduced the local Centre concept in October 2008 and later from the rules and regulations for regulating the activities of the centres and their smooth administration. The chapter organised a National seminar jointly with Veraval- Porbandar chapter titled “ITEM99 introduction of information technology in Mining” in 1999.

The chapter organised its first Independence National seminar on “ Mining Environment and CSR: Current trends and future scenario” in July 2012. The chapter has been awarded with “Best Chapter of the Year award” twice by M E A I, in the years 2011-12 and 2014-15, with a few members being awarded with the Prestigious MEAI National Awards in the past years. Chapter launched Students Chapters at GEC, Gandhinagar( 2012), GEC, Palanpur( 2013) and M.G. Science College , Ahmedabad( 2013). Seminars were also organised at these Students Chapters regularly. The chapter celebrated the first Indian mining day on 1st November 2013 and was awarded “ the MEAI’s Best IMD celebration award”. Later, The chapter received this award for the next 5 years consecutively. Subsequently, it shared this award with other chapters. The chapter started celebrating its Foundation Day from 2014, declaring a posthumous Special award to the late Shri. B. K. Antia, The Founder Chairman of the chapter. The award was received by Smt. Antia.

The chapter also instituted a series of annual B. K. Antia Memorial lectures which are delivered on the Foundation day of the chapter every year. The memorial lectures are delivered by eminent mining professionals. The chapter introduced the annual chapter's best member and the best local Centre awards in 2014. The Best Member award was later renamed as “Shri. P. K. Samantray Best member award”. The chapter also introduced a system of felicitating two of its veteran members every year. A 3-day international seminar was conducted by the chapter from June 9 to 11 2017. After the pandemic hit the nation in 2020, the 24th foundation day of the chapter was celebrated for the first time in virtual mode. Afterwards various webinars were organised by the chapter through its local centres. The prestigious Active Chapter Award was grabbed by the chapter in AGM held on 28th August 2021.

Key Highlights of Chapter:

Indian Mining Day Celebration

Ahmedabad Chapter Head Quarter had organized a program at GMDC Corporate Office, Khanij Bhavan, Ahmedabad, on 1st November 2023 with senior officials of MEAI. Welcome Address was delivered by Chapter Chairman Sh. Swagat Ray. . In the address delivered by Sh. L. Kulshreshta, Council Member MEAI he appreciated the role of Mining Engineers in nation building. The Guest lecture was delivered on the theme “Decarbonization initiatives in the Mining Industry” by Dr. Anurag Kandya Associate Professor Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The program was attended by members including consultants from the Mining fraternity. In the evening, Blockbuster movie “ Mission Raniganj” was showcased to members to pay the tribute to the largest ever Rescue operation in the history of Indian Mining.

Visit of MEAI National President at Student Chapter Bhuj

President, Mining Engineers Association of India, Shri S N Mathur has visited MEAI Student Chapter, Government Polytechnic, Bhuj on 15.09.2023 . Shri S N Mathur, National President, MEAI has deliberated the Role of mining industries in nation building. He emphasized on Rare earth elements and its requirement in coming future. Shri G V Lakhani, Principal, Government Polytechnic, Bhuj has assured that he will extend his best support to upgrade student chapter. Shri S C Jhagrawat, Mentor, MEAI Student Chapter, Government Polytechnic, Bhuj cleared the doubt of students regarding student chapter, student membership and benefits to became member of MEAI

Joining Hands for a Noble Cause

(MEAI), Ahmedabad Chapter had organized a cleanliness drive in collaboration with Divya Bhaskar. The drive was flagged-off from GMDC Office, Khanij Bhavan Near University Ground , 132 Ft. Ring Road at around 4:00 PM on 27th Oct 2023 (Friday). President MEAI, Sh. S N Mathur, Chairman MEAI Ahmedabad Chapter Sh. Swagat Ray including veteran members of chapter joined the drive. Around 80 members from Chapter, employees from GMDC, volunteers from Divya Bhaskar actively collaborated to make the event a grand success.

Seminar on “Sustainable Mining Practices” was organized by MEAI, Bhavnagar Local Centre on 30th January 2023 along with Mine Visit

A session of mine visit to Khadsaliya Lignite Mine GHCL Ltd. Bhavnagar was arranged the reclamation practices of GHCL were shown to all. Various activities like land preparation, planting fruit bearing plants, post plantation care, watering, fertilizers, cattle protection etc. are shared along with the produce with the involvement of villagers in the plantation. The paper presentation was organized at Khadsaliya Lignite Mine, GHCL on the theme “Sustainable Mining Practices”. Shri Anil Wandkar Secretary MEAI member, Bhavnagar narrated the importance of MEAI and seminar.Shri B. K. Mahato Convenor of MEAI Bhavnagar Local center, General Manager/Project in charge of Surkha North GMDC Ltd. Mine delivered the Key note address.Shri Sanjay Mathur, MEAI member and Mines Manager /DGM GMDC Bhavnagar Lignite Mine, in his address briefed about the sustainable mining practices. Shri Yashwant Kumar Singh, Mines Manager Ghogha Surka Lignite Mine GPCL delivered the speech on the subject matter. In his speech he focused on the mining history.

Mine Visit & Half Day Seminar at GMDC ltd, Bhavnagar

Bhavnagar local center of MEAI Ahmedabad Chapter had conducted a Half day seminar on “Slope Stability- Failure causes and Remedial measures” & Mine visit on 28th December 2022. A mines visit was organized to better understand mining technology and other safe practices adopted by Mine. Mine visit was followed by a Technical Session. Welcome address was delivered by Shri S K Mathur, Mine Manager, Surkha (N) Lignite Mine. Shri B K Mahato , General Manager (Project) and Convener, MEAI, Bhavnagar Local center shared very useful information on slope stability. Shri Dhanajay Kumar, Vice Chairman-II & Sr.General Manager GHCL, presented key note address and shared knowledge regarding remedial measures for slope stability in mines.Two papers were presented on the topic

1. Shri SanjeevKumar Pandey, Safety officer – GHCL

• Types of failure

• Slope stability

2. Shri S K Mathur, Mine Manager-GMDC Ltd.

• Slope stability failure causes and remedial measures

• Summary of scientific study

• Case study of critical area dealing

Achievements of the Chapter in the year 2021-22:

Three members from the Ahmedabad chapter were elected for the National Council and installed in AGM with Shri. S.N.Mathur as Vice President-I Along with Shri.A.K.Garg & Shri .P.N.Rao As Council members.

Two prestigious awards were also grabbed by the chapter in AGM held on 20th August 2021, Active chapter award service excellence award to Shri. A.K. Garg.

Activities undertaken by Ahmedabad Chapter:

Webinar on the World Environment Day on 5th June 2021 and Plantation Drives

A webinar was organised by MEAI, Ahmedabad chapter on 5th June 2021 to celebrate World Environment Day 2021. Senior members of MEAI from various organisations joined the program virtually and Made the webinar a success.Keynote address was presented by Shri. S.N.Mathur(VP-I) . Two presentations were made by eminent and experienced speakers. Shri.K.S.Yadav, Former regional controller of IBM presented his views over “Mine-out voids- Potential Ecotourism Spots.He emphasised the need to accommodate few mining sites in the existing tourist/ pilgrimage circuit of Dwarka- Porbandar- Somnath- Diu.The second speaker, Shri. Swagat Ray, General Manager(P), GMDC LtdRajpardi Project, Gujarat narrated the history of the World Environment Day, the various components of environment, need of conservation of resources and the contribution of GMDC Rajpardi mines towards the Restoration of ecosystem and environment friendly mining. Various plantation drives were also conducted at the local centres’ mines.

Workshop on “New Format of Mining Plan/ review of Mining Plan/ Modified Mining Plan and Star Rating” on 24th June 2021 in Hybrid mode

The chapter has organised a physical-cum-virtual workshop on “ New Format of Mining Plan/ review of Mining Plan/ Modified Mining Plan and Star Rating” Through its Kutch local centre on 24th June 2021 at Gadhsisa, in Association with Gandhinagar regional office of the Indian bureau of mines. Shri. P.N.Sharma, Chief controller of mines,IBM delivered the keynote address. He highlighted that the mining plan will be a technology and IBM will act as a facilitator instead of Inspector only. He also expressed his concern for the smaller mines. Shri Pushpendra Gaud,Regional controller of mines, IBM, Gandhinagar, briefed in his addressAbout the major changes made in the system. He also appreciated the initiative taken by MEAI, Ahmedabad chapter in organising such a workshop on the latest topic. Shri. G.Ram, Sr. ACOM IBM Then made a detailed presentation on the topic, giving Emphasis upon the sustainable mining and review of the proposal. He opined That sustainable development and star rating will improve the work efficiency of the mine.

B.K. Antia Memorial Lecture and AGM of Ahmedabad Chapter on 26 June 2021

A virtual memorial lecture was organised by MEAI Ahmedabad chapter on 26 June 2021 in memory of the chapter's Founder Chairman. “The B.K. Antia memorial lecture” Was delivered by Shri. R.C.Kachhara , Former DGM, Govt. of Gujarat And the former vice chairman of the Founder executive committee of the chapter. It was a wonderful lecture delivered by him narrating his long and varied experience in mineral geology of Gujarat. The memorial lecture was followed by the Annual General Meeting of the chapter and a declaration of the chapter's annual awards. After the successful completion of 2 years’ tenure of the Executive committee, elections were conducted in April 2021 to constitute a new Executive Committee and the new committee was installed.

Silver Jubilee logo design competition “Design a Logo” & “Create something unique” on 31st July 2021

As MEAI, Ahmedabad chapter is celebrating its glorious 25 years, to mark the silver jubilee celebrations, a logo designing competition was conducted to seek the creativity and unbeatable imagination of our members, to design a silver jubilee logo for the chapter. The best design was selected. (LOGO PHOTO Will be sent by mail).

Half day Seminar with Mine Visit on 23rd October 2021

Half day seminar with mine visit was organised by the Bhavnagar local centre of mining Engineers Association of India, Ahmedabad chapter on “ value addition of minerals available at lignite mines in Bhavnagar'' on 23rd October 2021, in joint collaboration with Gujarat heavy Chemicals Limited, Gujarat mineral Development Corporation Limited and Gujarat Power Corporation Limited at VTC, Khadsaliya lignite mine, Bhavnagar. Three technical papers presented on beneficiation of pyrite and bentonite Minerals which are available in consortium with lignite. The speakers showcased various beneficiation methodologies for technical session, And introductory program was arranged for newly joint mining engineers of GPCL & new MEAI members. the best mining practices and progressive closer activities undertaken by GHCL were showcased to participants, followed by a visit to GHCL Khadsaliya Lignite Mine. (Photos from brochure).

Celebration of Indian Mining Day on 1st November 2021

Indian mining day was celebrated with full zeal and zest at various Mines of Gujarat including its local centres on 1st November 2021.

Bhavnagar Local Centre:

Bhavnagar local Centre celebrated IMD at various Minds of GMDC Limited and GHCL Limited. Flag hoisting was done at GMDC limited by the convener Shri N Pareek (GM- P I/c.). The Pledge of IMD was sworn in by all members through Shri. D.K.Patel (DGM). Ms. Gunjan Pande(Secretary) spoke on ESG criteria and the role of minerals in conservation of minerals as well as nature. Shri. Pareek Highlighted the key factors of ESG and how we can better implement it in our industry. It was followed by a group discussion on ESG.

Kutch Local Centre:

The program commenced with flag hoisting at different locations/ projects of the Kutch region. All members took oath in front of the flag for development of mining industries and contribution in National growth. Mining day was celebrated on the theme of “ environment, social and governance(ESG) in the Mining industry”. The MEAI President's message was shared with members for the adoption of environmental social and governance principles in mining industries. An online quiz competition was organised by the mining engineering department of Bhuj Government Engineering College. an online half day seminar on “ value edition of bauxite minerals and scope of REE in Gujarat” Was organised by Kutch local centre in the second half. The session started with her welcome address and best wishes message by chairman of Ahmedabad chapter Shri.H.K.Joshi. 3 technical papers were presented, “ value added products from bauxite” by Shri. Jay Kapadiya , CMD, M/s Quata Solution Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara, “Vast Fluorite reserves in Amba-Dungar and High Potential of REE and Nb”, by Shri. Shrinivas G. Viladkar, Indian Institute of Science education and research, Bhopal and “ Geological richness of Kutch basin, Western India” by Dr. Gaurav D.Chauhan, Asst. Professor, Kutch University, Around 40-50 delegates from various Industries and organisations, dealing with mining and allied Areas in Gujarat, including special guests, Shri. S.N.Mathur(VP-I), Shri.H.K.Joshi, Convener,Kutch Local centre & GM(P), Shri. D.S.Bhayal, I/c GM(P), Shri.N.Parrek, Mines Manager, Shri. Viney Chitle, Ultratech Cement, Sewagram, and Shri. Mukesh Chaubey, Sanghi Cement Industries, participated online in the seminar.

South Gujarat Local Centre:

Tadkeshwar Lignite Mine, GMDC Ltd.

The flag hoisting ceremony on Indian mining day was done by Shri. N.N.Mupakalwar, GM(P). All MEAI members and associated persons of mine participated in the celebration. The Pledge was administered by Shri. P.S.Naik, Followed by speeches by Shri N.N.Mupakalwar, GM(P) , Shri. A.K.Shrivastava, S.O.and Shri.P.S.Nayak, Highlighting the importance of the day, importance of mining and ESG principles And emerging Trends related to it. Later, In the second half, a group discussion was held to elaborate the theme of ESG and re affirmation of commitments towards its principles.

Rajpardi Lignite Mine, GMDC Ltd.

Celebration started with the hosting of the flag by Shri. G.U.Chaudhary, I /c Project head. Shri. S.D.Bhandari, DGM briefed about MEAI and Indian Mining Day. All the members and employees of project took the pledge of “ Indian mining day”, followed by group discussion.

Vastan and Valia Lignite Mine, GIPCL

Indian mining day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the Vastan and Valia lignite mine,GIPCL. The flag hoisting was done by Shri. P.C.Goyal & Shri. N.K.Chauhan at Vastan and Valia lignite mine,GIPCL. It was followed by address of members and the taking of oath by all members and contractor representatives. Shri.P.C.Goyal & Shri. N.K.Chauhan briefed the gathering about the theme “ESG Agenda in Mining Sector”.

Past Events Brochures And Articles