BALCO deploys new, advanced rakes to ensure sustainable transport of raw materials
17th April 2024
- Each BOBRN rake used for coal procurement at BALCO supplants the need for 120 Trucks
Balconagar; 17th April 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, has inducted its first Bogie Open Bottom Rapid Discharge (BOBRNHSM2) Rake within its operations, marking yet another step toward ensuring an efficient and sustainable supply chain for the procurement of key raw materials. This strategic addition will enable the smoother handling of coal supplies via rail with each rake supplanting the need for nearly 120 trucks, thus enhancing operational efficiency significantly.
Undertaken as part of the General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) offered by the Indian Railways, the initiative aims to streamline the efficient distribution of coal resources, playing a substantial role in optimizing the domestic supply chain along with a reduction in logistical costs. Moreover, the BOBRN Wagon features Bottom Discharge Doors which facilitate a swift and efficient unloading process, translating into a tangible reduction in unloading times. This also helps optimize the average rotation cycle for acquiring crucial raw materials, an important factor in sustaining major industrial operations such as at BALCO.
Furthermore, rail transportation offers a multitude of advantages over road transportation. The massive load capacity of railways minimizes the reliance on road networks, thereby reducing the burden on public infrastructure, enhancing road safety and easing traffic management. It also helps make industrial operations more sustainable by dramatically reducing the carbon footprint associated with material movement, making an important contribution to sustainability efforts.
Speaking on the adoption of innovative solution, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO, said, “BALCO remains steadfast in harnessing leading-edge technologies and greener solutions to drive superior business performances. The introduction of the BOBRNHSM2 Rake stands as a testament to this approach. Our pursuit for operational excellence, both within and beyond our operations, is guided by a commitment to prioritizing safety and sustainability. This strategic intervention not only fosters a culture of responsible operations but also propels us towards a future where sustainability is ingrained in every facet of our business.”
These strategic innovations also play a pivotal role in elevating BALCO’s operational excellence. The implementation of a digital tracking mechanism for Finished Goods (FG) vehicles has helped BALCO achieve a lowest-ever average turn-around-time (TAT) of 5.45 hours within its plant operations, a remarkable improvement over the previous 15 hours duration. The introduction of mechanized ingot loading, a first in the aluminium industry, has further eliminated the need for human intervention, increasing operational safety and conserving significant time and resources, while bolstering domestic dispatches and boosting customer satisfaction.
The company has also undertaken several associated digital initiatives, such as the Finished Goods Control Tower which incorporates a 24*7 live monitoring dashboard that offers real-time GPS tracking and speed monitoring, ensuring seamless operations round the clock. Additionally, the implementation of centralized CCTV surveillance in railway yards further enhances security and monitoring capabilities. Such interventions have helped BALCO win gold in four categories at the Chapter Conventions of Quality Circle (CCQC), underscoring its commitment to excellence in logistics. With a relentless pursuit of innovation, BALCO reaffirms its position as a leader in the global aluminium industry, driving progress and excellence in all facets of its operations.
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
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