Tata Hitachi has extended its product line to support and contribute to the Indian mining industry

- Hemant Mathur

AVP (Sales & Marketing), Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company

How are mining and mining methodologies evolving in India?

The mining sector has seen consistent growth in recent years. The rise in infrastructure development, automotive production, power, and cement industries are driving growth in the metals and mining sector of India. The country is blessed with immense mineral resources that aid in its development. We have one of the largest cement industries in the world that have been able to systematically extract limestone over the past several decades. Limestone and hence cement is a building block in the development of infrastructure as well as real estate construction. Similarly, the country is bestowed with a large deposit of iron ore and which our companies have been able to utilize in converting to iron and steel driving the development of the country.

 Similarly, we have the fifth largest coal reserves in the world, and we are the third largest producer. Recent developments thrust focus on the issue of energy security of the country and coal will play an important role in achieving this. In this direction, Coal India has a target to achieve one billion ton of coal production by the year 2024-25. With a total of 46 coal mines auctioned for commercial mining and many MDOs being executed by Coal India, the private sector is going to play an important role in coal production. This will enable scientific and systematic extraction of coal in an economical and environment-friendly way with the use of large-class modern mining equipment.

Companies involved in the mining of non-fuel minerals like limestone and iron-ore have also started exploring alternate options for enhancing efficiencies. Concerning the environment and how dust in the mines can be minimised, an initiative called 'BLAST FREE MINING' is being explored - which calls for any alternate methodology that can be used. More such sustainable initiatives are being explored.

How is the company supporting the revival of the Indian mining industry?

A market leader in mining equipment, Tata Hitachi's mining excavators combine engineering excellence with a dedication to quality, to make tough machines with long life that meet the challenges of the mining industry. Tata Hitachi's tough machines are powerful enough to overcome the harshest and most demanding job requirements in the roughest of terrains.

Tata Hitachi has extended its product line to support and contribute to the Indian mining industry. There are two segments in the mining sector that are important from a manufacturing point of view i.e. 45 Ton to 120 Ton and >120 Ton class excavators. We, at Tata Hitachi, saw this as a long-term opportunity and have indigenized the manufacturing of 45 Ton, 65 Ton, and 120 Ton excavators more than a decade back. In addition, the attachments supplied by us - like drum cutters, rock breakers, vibro rippers, etc, can be mounted on the excavator and they can be offered based on application and the hardness of the mineral to be blasted.

Tata Hitachi also provides Full Maintenance solutions for mining operations. A Full Maintenance Contract (FMC) by the company is a fully customized service offering for customers having a large fleet of machines. Designed to meet the specific requirement of individual customers and is aimed at providing higher productivity through increased utilization, improved cost efficiency, and extended equipment life.

What are the latest technology trends in coal mining?

Technology has been a key driver for the enhancement of effectiveness. Today, drones are being used for exploration in mines. Mines are enabled with GPS/GPRS provisions for fleet management systems for monitoring a fleet of HEMM deployed. The equipment supplied is expected to have health monitoring systems and capabilities inbuilt where the data can be transferred to users using cloud platforms. Electronic engines are helping to control the COx, NOx in the exhaust gases for a better environment. Consideration of using electrical excavators and electric drive dump trucks is also being discussed for future requirements.

What opportunities do you visualize for your equipment range in the current and upcoming industry scenario?

Coal mining has been predominantly driven by Coal India which contributes to over 90% of the coal production in the country. However, the current government has also started working on mining by private players by way of MDOs. These MDOs are expected to be for long-term (20-25 years) operations and are expected to upsize the equipment used traditionally.

Tata Hitachi offers a range of excavators from 2 Ton-100 Ton which is made in India and from 200 Ton to 800 Ton manufactured by Hitachi Construction Machinery Japan, electric drive dump trucks from 190 T to 300 T manufactured by Hitachi Construction Machinery Japan. Wheel loader up to 5 Ton is made in India and from 7 Ton to 12 Ton manufactured by Hitachi Construction Machinery, Japan. The company is geared up to offer electric excavators too from 11 cu m to 40 cu m bucket capacity. Tata Hitachi has also demonstrated capability to support by way of a full maintenance contract for a mining excavator which recently clocked 100,000 hours. This is the first-ever achievement for an excavator of 250 Ton class in India and a testimony to Tata Hitachi's machine's durability and reliability along with the company's prowess in support of the machine.

How are you prepared for the future demand push for mining equipment?

Tata Hitachi is a powerful player in the mining equipment industry and is constantly tracking changes in trends. Tata Hitachi has one of the largest factories among the Hitachi group companies in Kharagpur, West Bengal. Here, the capacities have been enhanced for products that are manufactured in India and we are constantly being supported by Hitachi Construction Machinery, Japan for the supply of equipment in the Indian market, keeping in mind the current as well as the future requirements.

Hits: 0