Vedanta Iron Ore Karnataka (IOK) and Volvo CE India recently signed a landmark MoU to deploy sustainable power solutions such as zero-emission electric off-road machines, at Vedanta IOK’s mines in Chitradurga on a trial basis.
With the pilot project commencing at Vedanta IOK, the company has deployed Volvo’s recently launched EC55 all-electric excavator and its subsidiary SDLG’s L956H electric wheel loader for its iron ore mining operations.
“At Vedanta, we are committed to the cause of sustainability as we continue to be a frontrunner in adopting sustainable mining technologies. Our ESG focus is aligned with the goal to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050 or sooner,” said M. Krishna Reddy, COO – Mining, Sesa Goa, Vedanta Ltd. “Partnering with Volvo will help us accelerate our journey towards achieving carbon neutrality. Our mission of transforming for good continues to drive us towards a greener and cleaner future for all.”
Vedanta says it has set itself on a transformational journey to reach its ESG goals, aligned with GoI’s commitment to decarbonise India’s economy. The company aims to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 or sooner and take forward their vision of building a self-reliant India, empowered to lead a greener future.
Volvo CE stated that sustainability is at the heart of everything the company thinks and works on. As one of the leading manufacturers of construction equipment across the globe, the company says it believes it has a responsibility to accelerate solutions that will help usher in a world we want to live in.
The partners believe that this MoU agreement between Vedanta IOK and Volvo CE India marks a new beginning of transforming India into a sustainable nation, making it a first of its kind agreement with Volvo CE in the Indian iron ore mining fraternity.
“It’s great to partner with someone on something we are equally passionate about – promoting sustainable development across the country,” said Dimitrov Krishnan, Head – Volvo CE India. “This is just the beginning. With our highly advanced zero-emission site-level solutions, the blue sky is really the limit to how we can create a greener future.”
Vedanta IOK and Volvo CE India will use the pilot project as a case study. They have begun collaborating and assessing various parameters for sustainable operations, starting from site surveys to operational requirement mapping, to charging infrastructure deployment. Based on the learnings and outcomes from the pilot project, the companies will further look into feasible options to collaborate for achieving their ESG goals through deployment of zero-emission machinery at their operations.
The Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business of Vedanta Ltd is engaged in exploration, mining, and processing of iron ore. The company was founded in 1954 as Scambi Economici SA Goa and acquired by Vedanta. Since then, it has grown to be one among the top low-cost producers of iron ore in the country. During 1991-1995, it diversified into the manufacture of pig iron and metallurgical coke. It has also developed indigenous and environment-friendly technology for producing high quality metallurgical coke. Sesa Goa Iron Ore also has two waste heat recovery power plants of total capacity 60 MW that produces clean power by using the waste heat recovery from its coke ovens and blast furnace gas. Sesa Goa Iron Ore operations in India are in Goa & Karnataka.
