The global mining industry is at a critical crossroads, facing the dual imperative of increasing productivity while significantly reducing carbon emissions. With diesel-powered fleets, energy-intensive processes, and remote operations, mining has traditionally been one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize.
At Agastya Hydrogen, we are accelerating the clean energy transition through scalable green hydrogen solutions tailored for mining applications. This blog explores how green hydrogen is being deployed across the mining value chain and how Agastya Hydrogen is enabling mining companies to achieve deep decarbonization, operational reliability, and long-term sustainability.
The Carbon Challenge in Mining
Mining operations account for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to:
- Diesel-powered haul trucks
- Off-grid diesel generators
- Fossil-based heat and chemical processing
- Ventilation energy needs in underground mining
The shift toward green hydrogen—hydrogen produced via electrolysis using renewable energy—presents a compelling opportunity to replace fossil fuels, cut emissions, and comply with emerging net-zero regulations and ESG goals.
Applications of Green Hydrogen in Mining
1. Haulage Electrification with Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Diesel-powered haul trucks are responsible for up to 50% of mining site emissions. While batteries are a partial solution, they face limitations in range and payload impact in ultra-heavy vehicles.
Agastya’s Solution:
Agastya Hydrogen develops and integrates high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems (Agastya HRS) for off-road, high-tonnage haul trucks. Our modular power units support long operating hours, fast refueling, and zero tailpipe emissions—ideal for deep-pit and high-altitude mining environments.
Impact: Up to 100% reduction in Scope 1 emissions from haul truck operations.
2. Renewable Power for Remote Mine Sites
Many mine sites operate off-grid, relying on diesel generators to power camps, operations, and processing plants. These generators not only emit CO₂ but are costly and logistically complex to maintain.
Agastya’s Solution:
Our Agastya HRS containerized hydrogen fuel cell generators offer clean, reliable, and scalable alternatives to diesel gensets. Powered by green hydrogen produced on-site or transported in compressed or liquefied form, they reduce emissions and simplify logistics.
Impact: Elimination of up to 0.7 kg CO₂/kWh typically produced by diesel generators.
3. Hydrogen for Metallurgical Processes
Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a low-carbon reductant in metal extraction and refining, especially in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and in refining copper, nickel, and rare earth elements.
Agastya’s Solution:
We supply industrial-grade green hydrogen through robust, high-capacity AEM electrolyser systems. Our solutions support continuous, high-purity hydrogen delivery for use in furnaces and reduction reactions.
Impact: Up to 95% emissions reduction compared to coal-based DRI or natural gas heating.
4. Underground Utility Vehicles & Equipment
Underground mining equipment like loaders, LHDs, drills, and forklifts contributes to high diesel emissions and heat generation, increasing ventilation energy requirements.
Agastya’s Solution:
Our Agastya HRS, compact hydrogen fuel cell power modules for underground utility vehicles, replacing diesel engines with zero-emission, low-heat alternatives helping improve air quality and reduce electricity needed for ventilation.
Impact: 90–100% emissions reduction; lower operational costs from reduced ventilation loads.
5. Low-Carbon Explosive Manufacturing
Mining explosives, particularly ammonium nitrate-based compounds, rely on ammonia derived from fossil hydrogen (grey hydrogen).
Agastya’s Solution:
Our advanced 1MW AEM produces 23kg/h2 per hour, and 1 MW Alkaline electrolyser produces- 18kg/H2 per hour, enabling on-site green hydrogen production for sustainable ammonia synthesis, ensuring a cleaner supply of critical blasting agents.
Impact: Replace grey hydrogen (~9–10 kg CO₂/kg H₂) with zero-emission green hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen Impact: Emissions Reduction
| Mining Activity | Typical CO₂ Emissions | With Green Hydrogen | CO₂ Reduction Potential |
| Haul Truck Operation | 3,500–5,000 tCO₂/truck/year | Near-zero | Up to 100% |
| Diesel Generators (remote power) | ~0.7 kg CO₂/kWh | 0 kg CO₂/kWh | 100% |
| Steelmaking (Blast Furnace) | ~2.0 tCO₂/tonne of steel | <0.1 tCO₂/tonne (H₂-DRI) | ~95% |
| Forklifts and Utility Equipment | ~2.5 tCO₂/year | Near-zero | Up to 100% |
| Ammonia for Explosives | ~9 kg CO₂ per kg H₂ | 0 kg CO₂/kg H₂ | 100% |
Building the Future of Zero-Emission Mining
The path to decarbonizing mining is no longer a distant vision—it’s an operational necessity. Green hydrogen stands at the forefront of this transition, offering a scalable, zero-emission energy solution for some of the most carbon-intensive processes in the sector.
At Agastya Hydrogen, we’re not just supplying hydrogen—we’re delivering integrated clean energy systems built for the demands of modern mining. From powering heavy haulage to enabling cleaner chemical processes and remote energy supply, our solutions are designed to perform, adapt, and accelerate your sustainability goals.
As the mining industry reshapes itself for a low-carbon economy, we invite forward-thinking operators to partner with Agastya Hydrogen to lead the change, reduce emissions, and build a resilient future rooted in innovation and responsibility.
Let’s power mining with green hydrogen. Write to us at Hello@agastyah2.com to place your order.
