At this year's Bauma trade show in Germany, Normet introduced the construction and mining industries to its SmartDrive battery-electric vehicle architecture available for key machines in its product portfolio.

The company said SmartDrive uses "the latest long-life industrial grade lithium-ion battery technology with fast-charging capability and electric motors specifically designed for harsh environments".

Now, Normet said it has "made history" by demonstrating the first instance of battery-based emulsion charging in an underground production environment in Europe.

It used a Charmec MC 605 VE SD explosives-charging machine - based on its well-known Charmec MC charger - part of the SmartDrive battery-electric vehicle range.

"Battery-based charging makes the explosives charging process safer and more efficient, as there is no need to plug in to the mine's electric grid," the company explained.

The Pyhäsalmi copper and zinc operation, located in central Finland, is among the oldest and deepest underground mines in Europe.