Hindustan Zinc has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Epiroc India that would make it the first mining operator in India to introduce underground mining battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).

The deal, focusing on zero emission and sustainable mining, is a benchmark both for the operator in its mission for carbon neutrality, but also for Epiroc as it backs global miners in their respective safety and sustainability journeys.

Epiroc, while not outlining the timeline for placement of the vehicles or how many would be involved, said it is “imperative” for such partnerships to share their values of success: in this case, safety, sustainability, innovation and technology in running operations.

Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, said the MoU is in line with its emission reduction sustainability development goal for 2025.

Jerry Andersson, managing director of Epiroc India, added: “The future is electric, and technologies such as these will be at the forefront of smart operations. This partnership will in future allow a fleet of highly efficient electric powered equipment that at one end will reduce carbon emission by replacing diesel-fuelled equipment and on the other hand will increase productivity with its evolved design.”

Hindustan Zinc is a Vedanta Group company and is one of the world’s largest and India’s only integrated producer of zinc-lead and silver. It is headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Source: epiroc.com