Mumbai: Hindustan Zinc signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sweden’s mining and infrastructure equipment maker Epiroc for supplying battery electric vehicle (BEV) for underground mining, in a move to achieve zero-emission and sustainable mining.
“This partnership with Epiroc fortifies our commitment to green and responsible mining and takes us furthers in the right direction to achieve carbon neutrality, in line with our emission reduction Sustainability Development Goal for 2025,” said Mr Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc.
The move is said to help HZL explore the possibility of introducing battery-operated vehicles in underground mines which will help reduce carbon emissions, enabling the mine operations to become more environmentally friendly, the company said in a statement on Monday.
“We showcase the BEV in underground mining with the broadest offerings and a mission to deliver the world’s greenest machines. Our memorandum with Hindustan Zinc is a step on our mutual journey for a safer and more sustainable mining operation to come,” said Jerry Andersson, managing director, Epiroc India
Hindustan Zinc will become the first mining company in India to introduce electric vehicles in UG mines, the company said in its media statement.
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, Andersson added.