DGMS Guidelines for ADAS and Mining Safety Regulations 2025
- Mrunal Upadhye
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Staying safe in mining now takes more than basic checks or safety gear. Sites use heavier vehicles than before, and conditions keep changing. These shifts make technology a key part of safety. ADAS plays a major role in this change. The DGMS guidelines outline the procedures for utilizing these systems across mining sites. They help reduce risks and keep operators more alert during daily tasks.
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) issued these guidelines to guide safety. They aim to bring more structure to mining operations across India. The mining industry is now moving toward more automation. This shift makes steady safety rules more important than before. ADAS systems help with this change. They let teams react faster to danger. They also make vehicle use steadier and easier to track.
This blog breaks down what the DGMS guidelines cover. It also shows why they matter and how they fit into daily mining work. The content helps anyone looking to understand new safety steps in mining. It works for people on safety teams and for those curious about how the field is changing. This guide gives a clear place to begin.
Why India’s Mining Sector Needs Change Now?
India is among the world’s top producers of key minerals like coal, iron ore, and bauxite. The mining sector plays a crucial role in the national economy, contributing roughly 2.2% to 2.5% of the GDP. Mining provides direct and indirect jobs to around 1.3 million individuals nationwide. In contrast, mining contributes 7% to 10% of a country's GDP, as seen in Russia, China, and Australia. Even so, mining remains a vital part of India’s economic base.
Many of these involved vehicles in active mining zones. The numbers stayed high in 2020 and 2024, with 53 cases each. The DGMS gathered this data through records maintained at mining sites throughout India.
At the same time, emissions often go unchecked. Many sites still rely on old excavation methods. Digital safety systems remain missing or weak. Such gaps remain a barrier to the mining industry’s full potential.
Regulators have started to act on these concerns. They’ve seen the need for clear safety rules and better oversight. The DGMS guidelines on ADAS are a strong step in that direction. These rules call for advanced safety tech in mining vehicles. The goal is to lower accidents, raise accountability, and move towards a safer future.
What do the DGMS Guidelines Cover?
DGMS now enforces clear vehicle safety rules inside active mining zones. The move answers a pressing concern. Vehicle-related incidents rank among the top safety risks in the sector. The guidelines need ADAS in a wide range of mining vehicles to fix this.
To improve safety, DGMS introduced a clear control framework for mining areas. The guidelines need mining operators to install ADAS across all key vehicles. These systems reduce human error. They prevent accidents and improve visibility in harsh, fast-moving settings. DGMS matched each system to a specific type of vehicle used in mining. This includes HEMM, dumpers, and tipper trucks. The goal is to bring safety features where they matter most.
The next section breaks down each guideline in detail. It explains what the system does and which type of mining vehicle it fits. Each part focuses on the role it plays in making operations safer.
DGMS Guidelines on ADAS Safety Systems in Mining:
DGMS set a clear plan to boost safety and control in mining areas. The guidelines need mining operators to install ADAS across all key vehicles. These systems reduce human error. They prevent accidents and improve visibility in harsh, fast-moving settings. DGMS matched each system to a specific type of vehicle used in mining. This includes HEMM, dumpers, and tipper trucks. The goal is to bring safety features where they matter most.
Applicable to: All Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM)
The fatigue warning system spots early signs of drowsiness or tiredness in operators. These signs often lead to inattentive driving. The system works in four main stages:
Detection: Identifies behavioral indicators of fatigue in real-time
Warning: Issues audio-visual alerts to prompt attention
Tracking: The system keeps a close watch on the operator's behavior at all times
Initialization: Calibrates the system to suit specific operators and environmental conditions
This system plays a key role in long shifts inside mining zones. It helps operators stay alert, which is essential for safe vehicle control.
Applicable to: Dumpers and Tipper Trucks
This system helps prevent collisions and run-over incidents. It detects objects, vehicles, and people around the vehicle. It usually includes:
Sensors: Use radar, LiDAR, or other technologies to detect physical obstacles
Control Units: Process sensor inputs and check threats
Warning Units: Trigger visual and sound-based alerts to notify the driver
These systems support safe movement for dumpers and tipper trucks. They are most useful in tight haul roads, parking spots, and loading or unloading zones. Accident risks rise in these areas due to limited space.
Rear Vision Camera System:
Applicable to: All Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM)
These systems improve visibility for operators when reversing. They cover blind spots that are hard to track while driving. Each system must have a camera that sends live images to a screen inside the cabin. This keeps the operator aware of anything behind the machine. The setup must follow ISO 16001 for object detection. It also needs to meet IP69K standards to resist dust and water.
Backhoe loaders, bulldozers, and haul trucks fall under large HEMM vehicles. These machines rely on rear vision systems the most. They often move in reverse inside tight mine spaces. Limited visibility in such areas increases the risk of mishaps.
Dump Body Raised Position Indicator:
Applicable to: Dumpers and Tipper Trucks
This system stops the vehicle from moving when the operator lifts the dump body. It lowers the chance of tipping and protects the vehicle from damage.
Locks the transmission and only allows movement after the operator lowers the body. This keeps the vehicle stable and prevents damage.
Sends alerts during the lowering
Confirms when the body is down and safe for movement. This helps ensure the vehicle can move without risk.
This warning feature stops operators from driving with the dump body still up. That helps prevent balance loss or collisions with nearby structures.
Mechanical Device to Avoid Head-to-Tail Collision:
Applicable to: This feature is specific to Dumpers.
The guidelines ask dumpers to use a mechanical system or a device for rear-end collisions. This applies most to mixed-capacity operations. Each barrier or built-in structure helps absorb impact. It also keeps vehicles from hitting each other while braking or waiting in line.
These systems are key in high-traffic areas inside mines. Dumpers of different sizes often move close to each other in these zones. That makes collision risk much higher.
Automatic Dipping System:
Applicable to: Dumpers, Tippers, Light and Heavy Vehicles in Mines
This system stops glare that can affect the driver’s view. It switches between high-beam and low-beam headlights on its own. It spots oncoming vehicles up to 150 meters ahead and adjusts the lights to match the need.
Night-time and tunnel operations in mines gain strong support from this system. It lowers the chance of temporary blindness caused by bright headlights. This helps operators stay focused and in control.
Load Indicators for Safe Payload Management:
Applicable to: Dumpers and Tippers
These systems help operators keep payloads within safe limits. They track the load at each moment and send alerts when it passes a set threshold. Too much load can damage the vehicle’s frame. It also raises the risk of malfunction or tipping.
This system improves how well operations run. It also keeps safety limits in check. It proves most useful during long hauls or on uneven mine roads.
Why the DGMS Guidelines Matter?
India’s mining sector operates within a defined legal framework. The DGMS oversees this through inspections and regular updates. Some of the key laws include the Mines Act of 1952, the Mines Rules of 1955, and the Coal Mine Regulations of 2017. These laws show how the industry has shaped its approach to safety over time.
As mining relies more on machines, the risks grow. Safety needs stronger tools to keep up. The DGMS guidelines support this shift with clear steps. They help companies manage human error and track daily work. They also push for new technology and better safety practices. Environmental demands are part of this shift as well.
Improved Safety Outcomes:
Human error still causes many injuries in mining. Vehicle operations face the most impact. Fatigue plays a major role. Poor visibility adds to the risk. Slow reactions make it worse. These issues show up in both surface and underground mines.
The DGMS guidelines promote ADAS tools in mining. These include fatigue alerts, proximity sensors, and rear-view cameras. Each tool supports the operator. Supervisors track driver actions through system data. This leads to safer choices. It also reduces incidents and builds trust in site safety.
Environmental Responsibility:
Mining vehicles use high amounts of fuel and release large emissions. This makes them a key focus for efficiency. ADAS features guide speed, route choices, and load handling. These steps lower fuel use, reduce engine wear and cut environmental impact.
When used across fleets, even small changes can cut carbon output. These gains add up over time. The pressure to meet environmental rules keeps rising. Companies need to show real progress. These changes help them hold on to approvals. They also move closer to their sustainability goals.
Consistency and Accountability:
Before the DGMS guidelines, safety standards were not the same across sites. Some mines had solid systems in place. Others missed even the basic safety steps. This gap made safety hard to manage at scale. The new rules fix that. They set one clear standard for every mine, no matter its size or location.
This consistency makes compliance easier to track. It improves reporting, strengthens audits, and builds trust with authorities. Teams log and review alerts, adjust training, and close gaps faster.
Technology Readiness and Industry Modernization:
The guidelines also support long-term growth. They push companies to include ADAS in daily work. This shifts safety from reactive steps to data-backed decisions.
ADAS tools give instant feedback and track driver behavior. They detect early signs of equipment failure. This allows teams to plan ahead, cut costs, and keep fleets in better shape. Over time, the sector moves closer to global safety and performance standards.
Challenges in Implementing DGMS Guidelines:
Gaps in Safety Planning:
Most mines must follow Safety Management Plans and Principal Hazard Management Plans. These cover training, risk checks, and traffic rules. Some sites also use surface miners to avoid blasting hazards.
But many tasks still depend on manual checks and close supervision. That approach falls short in changing conditions, especially around moving vehicles. The DGMS guidelines push for ADAS to close this gap. To succeed, teams must improve how they manage safety on the ground.
High Costs for Smaller Operators:
Upgrading older fleets with ADAS tools requires a significant investment. Large firms may handle this as part of ongoing upgrades. But small and mid-sized operators face tighter limits.
The DGMS guidelines apply to all companies. Smaller players need help through funding, phased rollouts, or policy support. Without that, they may fall behind, leaving safety gaps in place.
Gaps in Training and Familiarity:
Technology alone doesn’t improve safety. Drivers and supervisors must know how to use ADAS tools. Fatigue alerts and proximity warnings only work when followed by the right action.
In many regions, workers still have limited exposure to digital systems. A single training session does not build lasting skills. Teams need more support to use these tools well. Hands-on learning plays a big part. So do regular refreshers and strong guidance from supervisors. These steps help turn new tools into real safety gains.
Monitoring Varies from Site to Site:
India’s mining sector includes public, private, and informal sites. Enforcing the DGMS guidelines across this mix is not easy. Some areas lack trained inspectors. Others don’t have systems to track safety or report updates.
These gaps hurt rule enforcement. Some sites may skip checks or miss key steps. Regulators need stronger tools, more trained staff, and better data systems. With the right setup, every mine can follow the same safety standards, no matter where it operates.
Looking Ahead:
While the DGMS guidelines present challenges, they also open the door to progress. For the mining industry, this is a moment to invest in a safer, more efficient future. Companies that move early on ADAS adoption gain a clear edge. They stay ahead of stricter rules, cut down on incidents, and draw in skilled talent.
Financial support plays a key role. Strong training ties and clear enforcement steps also help. Together, these make the regulations more than a set of rules. With the right support, companies are more likely to follow through. This brings real change to daily operations. It also builds trust among mining firms, regulators, and workers. With steady effort, these safety rules can shape a safer and stronger future for the sector.