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Home Blog Page 51

Why mining is essential to the energy transition and global prosperity

Imagine a world without mining. Many people do.

They see mining as environmentally harmful, dangerous to health and wellbeing, and ultimately obsolete as green energy advances.

One that’s absolutely vital to global prosperity, the energy transition and 1.5º C climate goals, as well as growth for emerging economies.

In short, what could be the world’s best-kept secret must be told: one of the Earth’s oldest industries is also one of the most forward-looking, and most essential to the future.

As mining is continually reinvented and reimagined, lands of opportunity – the Middle East, North and East Africa, and Central Asia – have huge potential to complement global mining’s transformation, and underline the sector’s importance to economic, social and environmental aims.

LITEF LCR-110 receives EASA certification

LITEF has received ETSO certification from EASA for its LCR-110 GNSS-aided Inertial Reference System (GIRS).

The certification of the LCR-110 includes the ETSO-C201 for the AHRS functionality and – as an essential component and for the first time for LITEF – the ETSO-C196a. The latter allows the user to perform so-called RNP (Required Navigation Performance) procedures, for which the LCR-110 monitors the horizontal position and provides the user with information about the trustworthiness of the navigation data.

“We are very pleased that we have now received ETSO certification from EASA. This is a great achievement for the whole project team and for LITEF. Another milestone has been reached and we can now extend our product portfolio with a cost-effective inertial reference system”, says Klaus Blatter, Product Manager Commercial Aviation at LITEF.

LCR-110: The ideal solution for Performance Based Navigation

The LITEF LCR-110 is a low cost, small size, low weight inertial reference system based on MEMS accelerometers and fiber optic gyroscopes. In addition to heading, attitude and navigation data for use in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, it provides a navigation solution based on Kalman filtering of raw inertial and satellite navigation data that facilitates improved integrity monitoring of the GNSS information (Aircraft Autonomous Integrity Monitoring – AAIM). Based on its high-class inertial sensors the LCR-110 continues navigation and integrity monitoring even after loss of GNSS information. It is therefore the ideal solution for executing cost and time-optimized flight paths as part of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) with enhanced reliability, worldwide and at any time.

With its low cost and weight saving design the LITEF LCR-110 is the ideal alternative to classic IRS/INS and it therefore facilitates more reliable NextGen and SESAR operations of aircraft that are usually not equipped with such systems.

The LCR-110 IRS satisfies the certification requirements defined in FAA AC 90-101A and EASA AMC 20-26 for performing RNP-AR flight procedures (RNP <0.3 nm) and has been certified according to ETSO/TSO-C201 and ETSO/TSO-C196a.

Envusa Energy Targets 5GW Renewable Ecosystem

Global mining company, Anglo American, has formed a joint entity with fully integrated independent power producer, EDF Renewables, with the aim of developing a renewable energy ecosystem in South Africa. Dubbed Envusa Energy, the joint company is set to launch an ambitious pipeline of renewable projects to the tune of 600 MW.

A memorandum of understanding was inked between the two companies in March of this year, whereby Anglo American and EDF Renewables agreed to explore the development of the renewable ecosystem designed to meet the mining giant’s South African operational power needs while scaling-up energy security and decarbonization across the country.

 

“I am delighted to confirm our ground-breaking partnerships with EDF Renewables to form Envusa Energy. This is a significant milestone in Anglo American’s global decarbonization journey and another step forward for South Africa’s clean energy future,” stated Nolitha Fakude, Chair of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa, adding that, “We are making great strides towards our 2040 target of carbon neutral operations while contributing to South Africa’s just energy transition through our responsible approach.”

Now, with the creation of the joint company, a pipeline of more than 600 MW of renewable projects are expected to be launched during the first phase of the ecosystem’s development – the construction of which is set to begin in 2023 – with wider ambitions of generating between 3GW-5GW of renewable energy capacity across the entire renewable ecosystem by 2030.

“This partnership with Anglo American confirms our long-term perspectives in the country: this 600 MW first tranche of projects will be added to the almost 1 GW that EDF Renewables will be building or operating in the country by 2023 – including 420 MW of wind projects in REIPPP Bid Window 5, whose PPAs were signed with Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on 22 September 2022,” stated Tristan de Drouas, CEO at EDF Renewables in South Africa, adding that, “Together, these projects further EDF Group’s CAP 2030 strategy, which aims to double our net renewable installed energy capacity worldwide from 28 GW in 2015 to 60 GW by 2030.”

Under the Envusa Energy-led renewable ecosystem, the projects will be built on Anglo American’s sites and transmitted via the national electricity grid. Utilizing energy from a number of projects, the system will allow for the allocation of clean energy to meet associated demand by Anglo America’s operational facilities.

Currently, partnerships between Envusa Energy and local communities are being pursued with the aim of ensuring the South African population benefits directly from the creation of the renewable energy ecosystem through Envusa Energy.

In addition to powering the mining giant’s South African facilities, the development of the renewable ecosystem by Envusa Energy will open up new opportunities for the supply of clean energy to Anglo American’s recently launched nuGen Zero Emission Haulage Solution – a fleet of hydrogen-powered haul trucks launched in May 2022.

FESCO Sets New Record, Dispatching 53 Box Trains From Vladivostok

Russia-based FESCO Transportation Group dispatched 53 container trains from Vladivostok in one week. In particular, 49 railway trains departed from the Commercial Port of Vladivostok (CPV) and the remaining four began from rear container terminals in Vladivostok.

The total loading of the box trains was more than 7,000 TEUs. Moreover, the dispatch of four trains was organised using the technology of combined trains, which helps to unload the railway junction of Vladivostok.

The transmission of 53 container trains is a record for FESCO, with the previous one set in December 2022, when the company moved 50 container trains with 6,800 TEUs from Vladivostok in one week.

Freight Traffic Sets New Records In Kazakhstan – China Trade

KAZAKHSTAN Railways (KTZ) reports that freight traffic on its network set a new record of over 252 billion tonne-km in 2022, up 5.2% on the year before. Over the last 20 years the amount of freight carried by KTZ has doubled.

KTZ says that the new record was due to “a change in logistics,” an increase in the distance that consignments were moved and a rise in the quantity of mining and metallurgical products being shipped for export.

Freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China also set a new record of 23 million tonnes in 2022, up 14% from 2021. Export traffic from Kazakhstan increased by 13% and imports by 9% year on year.

To meet increased demand, KTZ says that a feasibility study is now being developed for the construction of third railway between the two countries, running from Ayagoz in Kazakhstan to Bakhty near the Chinese border.

Of the 250 million tonnes of freight carried by KTZ in 2022, hard coal accounted for 106.6 million tonnes, an increase of 600,000 tonnes on the year before. Domestic coal traffic amounted to 74.4 million tonnes.

In 2022 grain traffic reached a total of 10 million tonnes, 12% up on the year before. Export grain traffic was up 18% at 8 million tonnes. KTZ carried 3 million tonnes of milled products, up 20% on 2021.

During the last three months of 2022, KTZ had to contend with a sharp increase in demand for grain transport when a record 1.5 million tonnes of grain equivalent were carried. This was due to the imposition of export quotas on wheat and flour between April and September.

Indian Railways’ Longest Electrified Tunnel Proves To Be A Game Changer In Freight Transportation

This tunnel facilitates direct and viable connectivity between South Coast and West Coast and also enhances the freight basket of South Central Railway.

Indian Railways‘ longest electrified tunnel has proven to be a major game changer in the country’s freight transportation. The tunnel located between South Central Railways’ Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations was dedicated to the nation in 2019.

The 6.6km long tunnel is a part of 113 kms Obulavaripalli – Venkatachalam – Krishnapatnam Port railway line. The tunnel, an engineering marvel, has reduced the distance by 72 kms for the trains coming from Guntakal Division to Krishnapatnam. It also reduces the traffic density in Obulavaripalle – Renigunta – Gudur section.

The full scale operation of the nation’s longest electrified tunnel started on June 25, 2019. Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu had called the tunnel as ‘a feather in the glory of Indian railways.’

The tunnel was built at an estimated cost of Rs 437 crores. It has 44 Trolley Refuges and 14 Cross Passages.

Features of Longest Electrified Train Tunnel –

(a) The tunnel is ‘Horse Shoe’ shaped.

(b) New Australian Tunneling Method(NATM) was followed during construction.

(c) The LED lighting provided at a distance of 10 meters inside the tunnel.

(d) The height of the tunnel is 6.5 meters (rail level to roof).

(e) The height of contact wire is maintained at 5.2 meters.

(f) The thickness of the full length lining is 300 mm.

This tunnel facilitates direct and viable connectivity between South Coast and West Coast and also enhances the freight basket of South Central Railway.

Meanwhile, the Railways’ is working on a plan to become world’s largest ‘Green Railways’ with Zero Carbon Emission by 2030. In the Financial Year 2022-23, a total of 4,100 TKM have been electrified.

Last week, during the launch of the country’s seventh Vande Bharat Express, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that 20 thousand route kilometer rail lines were electrified in the first 70 years of Independence.

Railways To Start Dedicated Gati-Shakti Cargo Service In February

The Railways will start a Gati Shakti Express Cargo service for delivery of goods. The special train for this purpose will be called the Rail Post Gati Shakti Express. This will be a joint project of the Indian Railways and India Post. The project aims to provide door-to-door parcel service for common Indian residents.

Under the joint parcel project (JPP), Indian Railways has partnered with Indian Postal services for door step collection and delivery of cargo. Thus the last mile delivery services will be taken up by Indian Post. Indian Railways will move these Gati Shakti cargo on a timetabled basis using semi-high speed trains. In order to attract cargo to this service, as an initial offer, Indian Railways is offering a 20% discount as compared to the road fairs for moving cargo. More details on the project will be announced during the budget 2023.

National Rail Plan Aims To Increase Share Of Freight Traffic

The National Rail Plan envisages that the share of freight traffic by rail should go up from current share of 27% to 45% by 2030. The construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) on the important high-density route is an important policy measure by Indian Railways to arrest the trend of falling market share of railways in the country and also will shift the advantage in favour of rail transport. DFC operation will bring-in efficiency in freight operation and enable rail tariff being more competitive because of its following operational/design features:

  • Higher throughput per wagon and per train: Run Heavy Haul trains with overall load of 13000 tonne.
  • Lower Energy Consumption: Reduce Operation and Maintenances Costs
  • Reduction in Transit time: Reduce logistic cost of transportation and better utilization of Rolling stock

Moreover Indian Railway has taken number of multi-pronged strategy to increase its model share in freight segment which includes tariff rationalization and Tariff/freight incentive schemes which includes; diversification of freight basket, Liberalised Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme in Traditional Empty Flow Directions, Rationalization of Station to station rates policy, Rationalization of Merry-Go- Round, Concession in short Lead Traffic, Discount in freight to fly ash traffic booked in Open/flat Stock & covered wagons, Round trip charging for ultra-short lead (upto 50Kms) container traffic, Round Trip Traffic (RTT) Policy, Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme (AFTO),  Introduction of Cube Container for two wheeler traffic. A New ‘Gati Shakti Multi- Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy has also been launched to facilitate development of cargo terminals on non-Railway land, as well as on Railway land (partially or fully) etc.

In addition, various other schemes have also been introduced to attract private investment in General Purpose Wagons, Special Purpose/High-Capacity wagons and Automobile carrier wagons etc.

The divestment of CONCOR to the extent of 30.8% is based on the cabinet committee on Economic Affair (CCEA) approval on 20.11.2019 which is an independent activity and without any relation to para (a) above.

The Master Circular on “Policy for Management of Railway Land” issued on 04.10.2022 permits setting up of Renewable power plants for exclusive use of Railways for a lease period of upto 35 years @ ₹1/- per square meter (sqm) per annum. Further, it permits Hospitals selected through a transparent policy and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for a lease period of upto 60 years @₹1/- per square meter(sqm) per annum.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Railways Tightens Control Over Bangladesh-Bound Wagons

This is being done to intensify a crackdown on ‘indent mafia’ that corners availability of wagons in advance and profiteers from the scarcity, government said.

The Indian Railways has tightened control over Bangladesh-bound rail freight by mandating that any entity that books a wagon headed for the neighbouring country specify the commodity being transported, said officials.

This is being done to intensify a crackdown on ‘indent mafia’ that corners availability of wagons in advance and profiteers from the scarcity, they said.

An indent is a booking demand raised by a customer seeking to use the railway wagons for transporting commodities.

Earlier this year, the railways had made submission of a letter of credit (LC) while booking an indent compulsory. Details of the LC are fed on the Freight Operations Information System of the Indian Railways. These include information such as LC number, date of issue and expiry, name of bank and beneficiary, tonnage moved by any other mode of transport on the same LC.

Under the revised guidelines, an indent can be placed after feeding in the commodity that will be transported and the route.

Eastern Railway’s First Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Started Operation

The first coal-loaded freight rake was flagged off from Pakur siding on Monday for Ropar Thermal Power Plant in Punjab. With this, the first Gati Shakti Cargo terminal of the Eastern Railway at Pakur came into life. Loading of freight rakes at this terminal was discontinued since April 1, 2015.

This much-awaited movement will fetch ₹1.2 crore Railway revenue per rake with an expected 4-rake loading per day. Earlier, coal rake from Pakur was loaded through joint collaboration of PANEM. The PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd.) Authority assured local people that the company will provide employment for the villagers and arrange for a development programme through CSR.

It will, therefore, provide job opportunities to the local people through various means like deployment as skilled or unskilled labours, supply of vehicles, and another mode from time to time.

Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy was recently launched by the Prime Minister and is expected to be a game changer in the field of traffic transportation in terms of improving speed and mobility, reducing logistic costs, and enhancing capacity. In compliance with the proliferation of the newly implemented Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy adopted by Indian Railways, Eastern Railway’s Howrah Division has started the operation of its first Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal at Pakur.