New Delhi, September 19, 2026: State-owned iron ore producer NMDC Ltd has announced a target to achieve Net Zero operational emissions by 2047, covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from direct fuel consumption and purchased electricity. The company said the roadmap is aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and promoting lower-carbon mining practices.
As part of the plan, NMDC is targeting a minimum 90% reduction in operational emissions, with the remaining emissions expected to be addressed through offsetting measures as the roadmap progresses.
Six-Point Decarisation Strategy
NMDC has identified six key areas for achieving its target:
- Improving energy efficiency
- Increasing renewable energy use
- Electrifying its mining fleet
- Adopting low-carbon fuels
- Exploring Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
- Demand-side energy management
The company has divided the roadmap into three phases: FY2026–FY2030, FY2030–FY2040, and FY2040–FY2047. Initial efforts will focus on energy efficiency, renewable power and fleet electrification, followed by deeper decarbonisation and emerging technologies.
Renewable Energy and Greener Logistics
NMDC has already begun increasing renewable energy use across its operations. Its initiatives include a 10.5 MW wind energy facility at Chitradurga and solar installations at various project locations.
The company’s planned slurry pipeline is also expected to provide a lower-carbon option for transporting iron ore by reducing reliance on conventional transportation and associated warehousing. NMDC plans to increase rail-based mineral movement as railway infrastructure around its operations expands.
The announcement adds to NMDC’s broader sustainability efforts, as the company works to reduce emissions while continuing large-scale iron ore production.