Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd (LMEL) is transforming its Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district into India’s first ‘green mine’. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and setting new benchmarks in eco-friendly mining operations. The Surjagarh mine, operational since 2021, has already achieved a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, cutting down 32,000 tonnes annually.
With plans to transition to renewable energy sources, LMEL aims to increase this reduction to approximately 50,000 tonnes per year. A cornerstone of this green transformation is the introduction of an 87-kilometre-long iron ore slurry pipeline, the first of its kind in Maharashtra. This pipeline connects the grinding plant at Hedri to the pellet plant in Konsari, significantly reducing transportation emissions and costs. As part of its ‘Mission Green’, LMEL has planted over 300,000 trees and allocated land for compensatory afforestation, aligning with India’s ‘Net Zero’ goals. The company also plans to operate the largest green fleet in India, featuring an in-house electric vehicle charging station.
The Surjagarh mine’s expansion from 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 26 MTPA has received approval from India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This expansion includes the extraction of 45 million tonnes of banded hematite quartz (BHQ), expected to yield around 15 million tonnes of hematite after processing. The expansion plan also mandates the use of eco-friendly vehicles and the implementation of a wildlife monitoring plan. LMEL’s efforts have been recognised by the Indian Bureau of Mines, which awarded the Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine a 5-star rating for its exceptional performance in safety, environmental protection, and productivity.
Through these initiatives, LMEL is not only contributing to the reduction of India’s carbon footprint but also setting a precedent for sustainable mining practices in the country. The Surjagarh mine’s transformation into a green mine exemplifies how industrial growth can harmonise with environmental stewardship.
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