New Delhi, Aug. 28 -- Indian mining and metals companies can achieve efficiency improvements of 10-15 per cent through digitalisation and automation -- gains equivalent to those previously sought through import safeguard duties -- according to industry executives speaking at the FICCI's second Conference of Automation, Digitalisation & Technology Integration in Mining & Metals.

The productivity increases, which industry leaders say can pay for themselves within two years, come as India's mining & metals sector faces mounting pressure to compete globally while meeting stricter environmental standards ahead of the European Union's implementation of the carbon border adjustment mechanism.

Nagendra Nath Sinha, Former Secretary, Ministry of ...