KASSEL/HERINGEN (dpa-AFX) - The Kassel-based fertilizer and salt group K+Steststhe use of e-mobility in its German mines. According to the company, a corresponding project is underway in eastern Hesse. Currently, the suitability of the charging infrastructure and safety underground are being tested in the Hattorf-Wintershall mine of the Werra Verbundwerk, in addition to the everyday suitability and range of the vehicles, K+S announced on Wednesday. Accordingly, in the long term, electric vehicles are to replace the previously diesel-powered vehicles in all K+S mines.

"Electric vehicle operation in a mine has special challenges," explained Lars Rickfelder, head of underground technology at the Central Mining Division, according to the statement. Because of the general conditions, such as high ambient temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, uneven roadways and steep inclines, all vehicles would have to have good off-road capability. That also affects power consumption, it said.

According to K+S, many of the off-road vehicles and pick-ups are on the road all day in multi-shift operation, covering up to 100 kilometers per shift. They can only ever be charged for short periods in between, and charging facilities cannot be provided everywhere in the mines. According to the information provided, the small electric fleet for craftsmen and area supervisors includes six pickups and one van.

The Werra Verbundwerk, which employs almost 4,400 people, includes the Hessian sites at Hattorf in Philippsthal and Wintershall in Heringen (both in the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district), as well as the Thuringian sites at Unterbreizbach and Merkers (both in the Wartburg district). K+S employs about 11,000 people worldwide./nis/DP/mis