Kalahandi (Odisha) [India], January 7: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, successfully conducted an emergency mock drill at its Lanjigarh refinery to strengthen preparedness for high-risk operational scenarios and validate the effectiveness of its Emergency Response Plan. The initiative reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Zero Harm, ensuring workplace safety and emergency preparedness.
The simulated exercise at the Red Mud Pond site recreated a scenario where an excavator operator was trapped following a sudden red mud collapse during routine operations. Immediate isolation of the area was carried out by halting operations, securing the site, and controlling energy sources to prevent escalation. Combat, rescue, and auxiliary teams were mobilised within 4–6 minutes, ensuring the trapped operator was safely rescued using appropriate PPE and specialised equipment. The drill successfully tested response timelines, communication flow, and cross-functional coordination, with all objectives achieved. Observations and improvement points have been documented to further enhance future readiness.
Commenting on the exercise, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “Safety preparedness is a continuous journey at Vedanta Aluminium. Regular mock drills help our teams respond with speed, clarity, and confidence during critical situations. By consistently testing our systems on the ground, we ensure that our people, operations, and neighbouring communities remain safe and protected.”
The mock drill was conducted in the presence of senior plant leadership and community representatives, reflecting the company’s transparent and proactive approach to safety.
Vedanta Aluminium continues to maintain a strong focus on world-class safety practices across its operations. In addition to regular mock drills conducted in coordination with the Odisha Directorate of Factories & Boilers, NDRF, and OSDMA, Vedanta Lanjigarh has implemented multiple safety initiatives. These include simulator-based driving training to ensure safe driving; the Suraksha Sankalp programme, a monthly on-ground initiative designed to drive behavioural change through pledges and interactive activities; and smart AAINA safety models within the refinery, which act as reflective checkpoints encouraging employees to self-assess and correct unsafe behaviours before entering high-risk zones. These sustained efforts reinforce the company’s commitment to Zero Harm and operational excellence.
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
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