Mines Performance
SINDESAR KHURD MINE
Sindesar Khurd Mine (SKM) is the world’s fourth-largest silver producing mine.
Operationalised in 2006 with an initial capacity of 0.3 Mtpa, it has been on a consistent growth path, increasing capacity to 6.0 Mtpa, making it one of the largest underground mines in India. It is a state-of-the-art mine, equipped with cutting-edge technologies and best-in-class equipment. SKM’s performance excellence is driven by its multiple standalone production centres, created by the main lens and several standalone auxiliary lenses in its deposit.
KEY OPERATIONAL MILESTONES, FY2025
SKM reported ore production of 5.48 Mnt in FY2025 with steady mined metal production. It achieved a mine development of 23.6 km, besides clocking an ore treatment of 5.79 Mnt.
5.48 Mnt
Ore Production
4.56%
Grade
222 kt
Mined Metal Production
23.6 km
Mine Development
OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
- Achieved highest-ever shaft hoisting of 3.7 Mnt
- Installed cost-efficient rammer RETROKIT in load haul & dump (LHD) for improving rammer availability and durability, thereby minimising delays in clearing ore stock blockages, improving productivity and reducing cost
- Improvement in monthly smoke hour drilling from 4.5 km to 10 km
- Increased ventilation to 1,950 cum/sec with an addition in airflow of 600 cum/sec for life-of-mine ventilation; over 3 km of raise-boring completed to support the primary ventilation circuit
- First-ever tele-remote operation in raise bore piloting in India
- Debottlenecked Mill-1 secondary crusher to increase mill availability. Also, installed two new zinc press filters that increased the filter availability from 55% to 95%
- Commissioned an auxiliary ramp connection between -55 mRL SKA1-C to -395 mRL E block
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS
- Implemented DETECT technology for safety violation detection at underground operations through artificial intelligence/machine learning
- Sustained lower mining void of 0.32 million m3 by backfilling to improve global mine stability
- Installed auto fire suppression system in auxiliary fan starter panels in underground mine
- Commissioned booster pump house at the tailing dam, increasing its life by 40% and reducing water consumption