2024-02-07 13:29:00
New Delhi: DMK MP Kathir Anand raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding coal production in India and plans to use electric vehicles to control carbon emissions in various coal company mines including NLC.
Union Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Minister Prahalad Joshi’s written reply to these questions: “Coal production details for the last three years 2020-21 coal production is 716.08 million tonnes. Coal production for the year 2021-22 is 778.21 million tonnes and coal production for the year 2022-23 is 893.19 million tonnes. Coal India Limited (CIL) has taken an initiative to introduce dual fuel diesel-liquefied natural gas operation in existing diesel dumpers through a pilot project for technology economy.
A feasibility study is also underway, including the effect on reducing carbon emissions. Of this, two existing diesel-powered PEMLs are retrofitting LNG equipment to dual-fuel (diesel and LNG) operations. For these, an MoU was signed with the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited to conduct a pilot project of 100T dumpers at the Luckanpur Open Cast Project of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Odisha.
At NLC, the main mining machinery and equipment used for lignite and overburden mining are powered using electricity. Only some ancillary mining heavy machinery such as dozers, pipe-layers, bag-hoses, road graders run on diesel. As of now, there is no proposal in NLC to replace LNG fuel.
Coal India Limited has taken various initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in its mining operations as listed below. Under First Mile Linkage (FMC) schemes, coal is transported by mechanized conveyor belt and CHP/SILO. FMC projects are emerging as environmentally friendly coal transportation systems.
This leads to reductions in dust emissions, tipper tailpipe emissions, tipper diesel consumption, freighter emissions, railway sidings emissions, ambient noise levels and tipper carbon footprint. Surface miners are sent to open pit mines and continuous miners to underground mines.
A tree plantation program is undertaken every year. Various energy conservation and energy efficiency measures are taken like LED lights, energy efficient ACs, energy efficient pumps and fans, green buildings, capacitor banks etc. Use of electric vehicles in all its subsidiaries. NLC takes steps to offset carbon emissions from mining operations.
This includes timely replacement of auxiliary service equipment with new equipment. Strict maintenance schedules are followed for equipment to reduce carbon emissions. The main machines/equipment used for lignite mining are powered using electricity. Mining operations are planned to minimize the use of auxiliary diesel powered mining equipment.
Extensive tree planting and afforestation in claimed mining areas to neutralize carbon emissions, afforestation, green corridors are maintained and improved to tackle carbon emissions. Coal India Limited emphasizes the purchase and hiring of electric vehicles at various mines, regions and sub-headquarters. The current number of electric vehicles in Coal India Limited is 178,
And considering the duration of existing transportation contracts and the needs of subsidiaries, the target is set. Accordingly, a target of 380 electric vehicles in 2023-24, 143 electric vehicles in 2024-25 and 158 in 2025-26 has been set for a total of 681. “At the same time, NLC is not planning to add electric vehicles in its mining areas,” the minister said in his reply.
#NLC #action #offset #carbon #emissions #Central #Govt