Jharsuguda (IP News). Vedanta Jharsuguda, India’s largest producer of
aluminium and value-added products, has been declared winner of APEX India Green Leaf
‘Platinum’ Award for outstanding achievement in sustainability in the Metals & Mining category.
Platinum is the highest category among sustainability awards, and the company was adjudged winner after a thorough assessment of best practices and performance excellence in sustainability. Over 180 organizations across various industries had participated in the
assessment.
Vedanta’s sustainability practices are focused on the three primary pillars of economic,
environmental and social impact. Towards this end, Vedanta has instituted the Vedanta
Sustainability Assurance Programme (VSAP), a robust governance system following
International Finance Corporation (IFC) and International Council on Mining and Metals
(ICMM) guidelines that guides the company’s operations and measures performance across
34 elements under the broader dimensions of Sustainability, such as Leadership, Process
Safety & Management of Change, Continuous Improvement, Social Sustainability, Resource
Use Management, Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) Management etc.
Speaking about the company’s efforts in sustainability, Mr. CN Singh, CEO – Vedanta
Ltd., Jharsuguda, said, “Vedanta’s operations are governed by the robust Vedanta
Sustainability Framework, drawn in line with the best international standards. Our business
imperatives and social responsibilities are founded on the premise of ‘Zero Harm, Zero Waste & Zero Discharge’, and fulfilled through an unwavering commitment to leverage global expertise, adopt green technology and use resources judiciously, to create a lasting positive impact on the environment, our communities, partners and customers. The APEX India Green Leaf Platinum Award stands testimony to our endeavours against those commitments.” Mr. TJ Kim, Plant In-charge from KEPCO KPS, Vedanta’s partner for operation & maintenance of its 1215 MW Captive Power Plant adds, “Vedanta Jharsuguda’s sustainability practices are very well developed, meeting international requirements. Vedanta has a very focused approach on safety, health and environment aspects of business performance.”
As the country’s largest producer of aluminium, which an eternally recyclable metal with
minimal loss in quality and energy requirements, Vedanta integrates smart innovation, bestin-class technology, environmental safeguards and sustainability-focused operating
procedures to create value for the nation. Few examples:
• Vedanta’s aluminium smelters, power plants and alumina refinery are among India’s
leading energy efficient manufacturing units.
• Vedanta Jharsuguda is India’s first, and the world’s third, smelter to deploy Digital
Smelter Solution, which allows for remote monitoring and control of potline operations,
enhances energy efficiency, reduces raw material consumption and arrests wastage
of material.
• Online and continuous environment monitoring and real-time data acquisition system
for superior monitoring and faster decision making.
• Vedanta Jharsuguda is one the best water efficient smelters in the country, ensuring
100% recycling of treated water for zero-discharge operations.
• State-of-the-art pollution control equipment, robust processes, globally benchmarked
best-practices, etc. are in place for proper air, water, land and waste management.
• The company is exploring renewable energy sources like solar power and biomass to
potentially reduce dependence on thermal power as the primary source of energy.
• Extensive digitalization of processes towards achieving paperless operations.
• Vedanta is also in the process of deploying advanced data analytics technologies in
its power plants by incorporating both predictive and prescriptive analytics to enhance
energy efficiency and improve sustainability of operations and reduce wastage and
safety risks with minimal or zero human touch.
• Vedanta’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, women
empowerment, quality education, health, water and sanitation, bio-investment and
community infrastructure benefit lakhs of people every year.
Vedanta is India’s largest producer of the green metal, aluminium, operating a world-class 1.6 MTPA aluminium smelter and 3615 MW thermal power generation facility in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The only Indian smelter in the global ‘1 Million Tonne’ production and export club, Vedanta Jharsuguda is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications across core industries. With one of the largest technically qualified and diverse workforces in the country, the company is working towards a sustainable and greener future for all by spurring emerging applications of aluminium, the ‘Metal of the Future’.
About Vedanta Aluminium and Power
Vedanta Aluminium, a part of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, producing almost half of India’s aluminium or 1.9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in FY20, and is also one of the largest private power producers in the country. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelters, power plants and alumina refinery spread across India, 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, Namibia, and Australia. 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. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the 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. The company has been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred CII-ITC Sustainability Award, the FICCI CSR Award, Dun & Bradstreet Awards in Metals & Mining, and certified as a Great Place to Work. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
