Polymetal teams up with SMT Scharf

The first phase of the collaboration will see the Russia-focused firm focus on mid-range loaders, haulers and dumpers, and trucks.

In future, the partnership may extend to drill rigs and utility vehicles.

Polymetal's chief operating officer said the partnership could allow the outfit to also reduce operating costs as well as green house gas emissions, while boosting personne safety at underground mines.

"It fits well into our strategy to gradually involve EVs across the Group's operations and marks another step towards cutting carbon emissions by 5% in 2023," he added.

The miner pegged the HGH emissions from the vehicle fleets and mobile machinery at the hubs with underground mines in 2019 at 334 Kt of CO2 equivalent or 12% of the group's total emissions.