Taking first of its kind initiative in the Indian mining sector, Vedanta group company, Hindustan Zinc has launched Normet Agitator SmartDrive EV, into its underground mining operations.
The company will soon expand its BEV fleet with Normet’s Explosive Charger (CHARMEC MC 605 V SD) and Concrete Sprayer (SPRAYMEC MF 050 VC SD).
Hindustan Zinc is the first company among its peers to join the EV revolution, steadily switching to electric vehicles for its underground operations.
Hindustan Zinc, together with the Finnish technology company Normet Group Oy, has inducted battery-powered service equipment and utility vehicles into underground mining to help decarbonize and improve environmental sustainability in the mining industry.
Each of the Normet SmartDrive EVs is based on a modular Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) architecture that is designed to optimize energy consumption and performance in underground mining, including tunnelling applications.
The SmartDrive EVs enable higher productivity, lower operating costs, and, most importantly, zero emissions.
The BEVs have been inducted at the company’s Sindesar Khurd (SK) Mine which is a world-class silver-rich mine with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities and best-in-class mechanization.
Commenting on the induction of the EVs, Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Our aim at Hindustan Zinc is to revolutionize underground mining, boost productivity, raise underground safety standards, and provide sustainable operations solutions. Thanks to our unwavering commitment to environmentally sustainable business and net zero emissions, we’ve always focused on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions. I believe the introduction of battery-electric vehicles in Hindustan Zinc’s underground mining operations will revolutionize the sector and mark a great step forward for India in terms of responsible mining.”
Speaking on the occasion, Subhasis Mohanty, Managing Director, Normet India, said, “We are pleased to partner with Hindustan Zinc to solidify our ESG commitment, by bringing into reality the first of our fleet of Normet SmartDrive ® BEVs in HZL underground mines. Our association has been valuable to drive common goals on sustainability and decarbonization in the Indian mining sector, driving transformation in the underground space and building long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
Hindustan Zinc will gain considerable benefits from the adoption of Normet SmartDrive EVs, including significant HSD savings and vehicle maintenance.
These SmartDrive electric vehicles are powered by 90kWH lithium-ion batteries and come equipped with myriad advanced technologies such as energy recuperation technology, hydraulic dual-circuit oil-immersed brakes to provide additional braking power, etc.
The vehicles also have the advantage of zero-emission in the operating environments, and considerable noise and vibration reduction associated with equipment. In addition to that, BEVs comes with high-efficiency driveline and consumes less kWh/ km compared to diesel ones.
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