Mining in the Himalayas

Dr. Soni graduated in Mining Engineering from Ravishankar University, Raipur,Chattisgarh in 1983 and completed his post graduation from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani and Ph. D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Centre of Mining Environment, Indian School of Mines (ISM) , Dhanbad in 1998. He was awarded William Greenwoood Scholarship of Association of Geo-Scientists for International Development (AGID), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has served Coal India Limited (at SECL subsidiary) and Department of Mining Engineering, Government Engineering College, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) before joining CMRI as scientist in 1987. Thus, he has 30 years experience in field, teaching and research for various areas of environment and sub-surface sciences. He has visited USA and U.K. in connection with research work and widely traveled across the country. Dr.A.K.Soni is currently Head of CIMFR (Unit -1) Nagpur office and engaged in research in mine environment and allied areas. He has wide exposure of administration too in S&T / R&D filed. His area of interest for research is “Geo-hydrological problems related to mines”. In the past, he was associated with development of eco-friendly techniques of mineral extraction and has worked for R&D in the area of “Environmental Management in Fragile / Sensitive Areas with particular reference to mining operations and hill type areas ( Himalaya)”. He has developed ‘Environmental Degradation Index (EDI)’ for applications in mining in ecologically fragile areas and has special interest in policy issues on mining and environment. Actively associated with technical and professional organizations and societies e.g. Institution of Engineers (India), Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI), International Mine water Association (IMWA) and Association of Geo-scientists for International Development (AGID). To his credit, he has more than 100 technical publications on environmental related topics in national and international journals, conference proceedings, workshops monographs, books etc. in Hindi and in English and has handled nearly 100 R&D projects in the capacity of principal investigator and principal co-ordinator. He has received best R&D paper award from nationally accredited technical society viz. Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) in 2003 and best citizen award in 2006.

Indian himalaya : mining and mineral potentiality. Existing practices : critiques and lacunas. Eco- friendly perspective of himlayan mining. Solutions: some new, practical and eco-friendly ideas for himalaya. Himalayan mining in camera’s eye (memories down the lane). Environmental attributes: two niche areas. Environmental degradation index (edi). Environmental friendly transportation practices in hilly mines. Integrated strategy and best practice mining. Environment oriented development. Parvatadhiraj : the himalaya. Bibliography / suggested reading.