Coal India to replace diesel with LNG in earth movers
State-owned coal producer Coal India plans to replace diesel with LNG as the fuel for its heavy earth moving machines, the Indian coal ministry said on June 29.
“This will be a major breakthrough in not only cutting down cost but will also reduce carbon emission,” the ministry said.
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Coal India will initiate pilot projects with Gail, India’s biggest gas marketer, in some mine sites before going in for large-scale use of LNG. Gail will establish LNG storage and dispensing systems, arrange transport of LNG from the terminal to the mine site, and arrange to retrofit.
Indian state-run heavy equipment makers Bharat Earth Movers will provide all technical assistance. One of the pilot projects at Bharatpur opencast mine of Mahanadi Coalfields in the state of Odisha will be completed by the end of this year, the ministry said.
“A comprehensive model is being devised to convert maximum heavy vehicles on LNG in the coming years,” the ministry added.
In order to reduce air pollution, the Indian government is promoting the use of cleaner fossil fuels like natural gas. It aims to raise the share of gas in the Indian energy mix to 15% by 2030 from about 6% now.
Coal India said it will also introduce around 1500 e-vehicles in all its mining areas over the next five years. Around 200 e-vehicle will be put in operation by the end of this year.