Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
Transition to cleaner operations is crucial to align India’s goals internationally to combat global warming
Published Date – 29 September 2024, 11:59 PM
By Rajkiran Bilolikar, Amartya Awasthi, Pavankumar Parnandi
Mining contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions both through operations and fugitive emissions of gases such as methane in certain mineral extraction processes. The US Environment Protection Agency ranked India to be third in global emissions from coal mining with emissions estimated to be 22 MtCO2e in 2020, and expected to double by 2050 to 45 MtCO2e.
Within mining operations, emissions from haulage operations, contribute more than 35% to the emissions as per a study by McKinsey and Company in an iron-ore mine in Australia. Typically, haulage operations in open cast mines involve the use of large mine haul trucks – Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) dumpers. Ground-level research done by the authors at an open cast mine in Telangana indicated that 100-tonne and 165-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) HEMM dumpers contribute in the range of 180-370 tonnes and 450-650 tonnes of annual carbon-di-oxide emissions respectively.
The Benefits
Mining sites typically employ hundreds of such vehicles for continuous operations and there are heavier category HEMM dumpers (200-600 tonne GVW) in use both in India and globally that have much higher fuel consumption and emissions patterns. Therefore, the benefits of adopting Zero-tailpipe Emission Trucks (ZETs) such as Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) or Fuel-cell Electric Trucks (FCETs) are immense. Battery-operated vehicles have seen more technological advancements and maturity in the market over the past couple of years, thereby presenting the best technology pathway today. BETs result in a significant reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change.
Research done by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has indicated that even with the current mix of energy in the grid (both fossil and clean fuels), BETs are significantly lower in the complete lifecycle (cradle to grave) emissions that includes battery replacement as well, vis-à-vis diesel counterparts.
Several Challenges
Transitioning to cleaner operations of mining haul trucks is crucial for aligning India’s goals and commitments internationally to combat global warming. However, despite the enthusiasm around sustainability, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of ZETs in haulage operations of India’s mining sector. Established market players may not be early adopters of these technologies, discouraging mining operators from making the shift.
Further, coal remains India’s primary energy source, and demand is expected to peak between 2030 and 2035, adding complexity to the efforts to overhaul such a large and vital mineral haulage process within a mine with unproven technologies that could have direct implications on the commercial viability of operations. Companies transitioning from diesel are also exploring hydrogen and fuel cell alternatives as viable options, further complicating decision-making on the pathway that must be taken for adopting sustainable technologies.
To understand global trends, a team led by the authors at the Centre for Energy Studies at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), along with partners, led research for more than a year to understand the role of both non-HEMM and HEMM mine haul trucks in mining freight operations. A detailed report was launched capturing various international and domestic efforts in transitioning such mining haul trucks to ZETs, including select mining case studies.
Pilot Studies
Further, India’s mining industry is pivotal to its economic progress, supplying crucial raw materials for key sectors like steel, cement and power generation. The volumes of coal mined in India for example, are the largest among various minerals. Any efforts, therefore, to consider transitioning to cleaner operations cannot be imposed without real-world and on-ground pilot studies into the viability of new technology adoption.
To realise an on-ground pilot, the team carried out feasibility studies on available pathways for transitioning various mining equipment (tippers, dumpers, mining drills) to zero-emission alternatives at a large open cast mining site in Telangana. This was made possible through in-depth studies of vehicle usage patterns, equipment data collection and site topography.
Some challenges for the proposed pilot have been the lack of a significant number of available models in the HEMM dumper category in India, beginning with, for example, 60-tonne and 100-tonne payloads. A large number of companies in India have launched BET tippers in the non-HEMM category.
The team thus opted for retrofitting an old-end-of-life HEMM dumper along with technology partners. Crucially, what is essential for any pilot implementing mining organisation to consider is the viability gap funding needed to adopt any new technology or product developed, a significant step in addressing the commercial challenges of this transition. For this, efforts are being steered by ASCI to bring together partners to develop a robust understanding of the technical and commercial requirements for the pilot.
Globally too there are efforts underway to gradually replace mining haul HEMM dumpers with ZETs in a phased manner. Various original equipment manufacturers, for example, are making efforts to pilot or have already piloted heavy-duty BETs, FCETs and hybrid powertrain HEMM dumpers. Several mining companies have already begun transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles, setting examples for the Indian mining industry.
The transition to zero emission vehicles reduces the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels, lowering fuel expenses, enhancing energy security by decreasing dependence on imported oil and lowering import bills for the country. Beyond GHG reduction, the elimination of diesel exhaust would lead to cleaner air within and around mines, improving air quality and reducing respiratory diseases like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Further, the quieter and smoother operation of electric motors would contribute to a healthier working environment for miners. This shift can also foster a more positive relationship between mining companies and local communities. In addition to environmental benefits, ZETs would offer economic advantages for mining companies. Electric motors have fewer moving parts than traditional diesel engines, translating into lower maintenance costs and less downtime for mining operations. Regenerative braking technology in ZETs would allow for energy recapture, improving overall energy efficiency.
In the long term, this shift can lead to lower fuel costs, offering financial benefits to mining companies. Overall, the future of the mining industry is set to become increasingly electrified, driven by the need for cleaner, more efficient and sustainable mining operations.
(Rajkiran Bilolikar is Professor and Director, Amartya Awasthi and Pavan Kumar Parnandi are Assistant Professors, Centre for Energy Studies, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad)
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.