The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
India's largest zinc miner agrees to buy electric equipment Metal Tech News – May 4, 2022
The Sandvik equipment being purchased by Hindustan Zinc includes an LH518B electric loader with a self-swapping battery that also serves as a counterweight on this 18-metric-ton underground digging machine.
In a move to help decarbonize the largest underground mine in India, Hindustan Zinc has signed a deal to acquire a fleet of Sandvik electric mining equipment for its Sindesar Khurd zinc-lead-silver operation.
Under a memorandum of understanding, Sandvik will deliver an LH518B battery-electric loader, three battery-electric TH550B underground trucks, and a DD422iE electric drill rig with Sandvik's unique and patented "charging-while-drilling" technology.
Built on Artisan technology, which Sandvik acquired in 2019 and has since upgraded, the loader and the trucks feature AutoSwap, a patented battery self-swapping system developed by Sandvik that allows its battery-electric equipment to change a low battery for a fully charged one in a matter of minutes.
To support the new mining fleet, Sandvik will also provide Hindustan with the extra batteries, charging systems, as well as an on-site battery and equipment service team.
"Aligned with our expansion strategy for battery-electric vehicles, I'm delighted to sign this agreement with Hindustan Zinc to deliver the first battery equipment fleet in India," said Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions President Henrik Ager. "This is a testament to both the pioneering ambitions of Hindustan Zinc and the technological maturity of Sandvik BEV (battery-electric vehicle) products."
Further details on Sandvik's electric and autonomous underground mining equipment can be read at Sandvik reimagines the underground mine in the September 30, 2020 edition of Metal Tech News.
The delivery of the Sandvik equipment, slated to begin early in 2023, will further Hindustan's ambitions to reduce carbon emissions at Sindesar Khurd and make mine operations there more environmentally friendly.
Hindustan, the largest zinc producer in India and one of the largest in the world, has already begun to electrify its fleet. This includes electric scooters for security staff, passenger EVs at locations, underground service EVs for mines, and electric forklifts. The zinc company also has agreements to purchase additional battery-electric mining equipment from Epiroc Rock Drills and Normet Group.
This transformation is part of Hindustan's larger commitment toward zero noise pollution, zero harm to the environment, and zero carbon emissions at its operations.
"Smart, Safe, and Sustainable operations has been a motto for us at Hindustan Zinc, and we believe that it is our responsibility as a leader to be catalysts for change in the adoption of sustainability-driven business solutions," said Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra. "We have been investing in the development of processes that are well designed to incorporate sustainable aspects as well in day-to-day business decision-making. This partnership with Sandvik brings us one step closer to our goal of carbon neutrality."
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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