The company plans to start seeking contracts with specific battery electric mining equipment vendors for the conversion, it said, adding that this makes it the first mine in the state of Minnesota to adopt battery electric vehicle technology.

Twin Metals said the planned use of electric mining and support vehicle fleets would reduce the project's environmental footprint. The step will also reduce power requirements for underground ventilation and heating; maintenance needs and noise, while improving worker safety and air quality.

The planned project targets a copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals deposit about nine miles southeast of Ely and 11 miles northeast of Babbitt.

"Today, we are committing to use the very technologies combatting climate change that require the metals our world-class, 21st century mine will produce," said Kelly Osborne, Twin Metals Chief Executive Officer.

The company is also shifting to dry stack tailings management in its proposed design.

"We're doubling down in our fight against climate change by both delivering the raw materials needed for our clean energy future and using the most innovative technologies to reduce the impacts of our own operations." 

Glenn Barr, Twin Metals Vice President of Project Development, added: "Battery electric mining equipment has advanced significantly since the technology was first introduced just over 10 years ago, and it will only continue to improve as Twin Metals gets closer to becoming operational."