ELECTRIFYING THE MINING PROCESS
Artisan’ s 1 5 3, a battery powered 1.15 m 3, 3 t LHD
electrical manufacturer from Rouyn-Noranda in Quebec, to make the battery chargers which are installed underground in charging bays.
A 90 minute to 2-hour charge at an underground charging station provides the new battery-operated scoops and trucks with four to five hours of operation. The then Kirkland Lake Gold President and CEO, Brian Hinchcliffe, spoke proudly in the earlier stages of the project about the environmen-saving potential for battery equipment in the future of underground mining.“ It has long been a dream to have practical and productive battery operated mobile equipment underground. While nickel lead acid batteries are common in underground locomotive applications, the advances in technology in the lithium-ion world have finally made this dream possible thanks to the hard work of our vending team of RDH and Artisan. Battery equipment does not require the usual capital investment in underground ventilation that diesel equipment does. This capital investment saving provides a great return and allows us to introduce much better working environments underground. The company has dedicated a great deal of time and money to developing the technology for the lithium-ion powered machinery.”
The battery-operated RDH LHDs are more powerful than the company’ s other production LHDs, but have the advantage of being able to fit where almost all of the mine’ s smallest units operate. In addition, the battery LHDs are also quieter and cooler than the diesel alternative.
Employees engaged in using the loaders have been unambiguous in their praise, with one worker commenting:“ It is ten times better than diesel. I wouldn’ t give this up for anything.” Kirkland Lake Gold employee Richard May, who has been using the battery scoops since the machinery’ s introduction, spoke admiringly of the batteryoperated equipment, saying it had more weight and more power than the diesel-operated equivalent.“ I was nervous at first about it,” May said,“ but it has been amazing.” May credited the new equipment with cutting mucking time in half and spoke approvingly of the lack of diesel emissions.
May said he initially had his doubts about the length of time the battery could last,“ but it has been amazing.”
“ As this catches on, it will get even better,” May said.“ This is definitely the way mining should go.”
“[ The workers ] love the machines,” said Hinchcliffe.“ It is a quiet and very powerful product, and it is much cleaner [ than the diesel alternative ]”.
Indeed, Kirkland Lake Gold moved rapidly to improve its operations, as it increased its hoisting capacity and authorised full man loads in order to meet its targets. The planned production ramp up began and the target of between 1,400 and 1,600 t / d was reached in fiscal 2014.
RDH Mining Equipment told IM:“ Since developing the first battery powered MM300EB LHDs and HM800-20EB haul trucks that work at KLG, RDH has gone on to develop various other battery-powered equipment models including the MM600EB, a 6 yd 3 LHD with multiple units working in production in Russia. RDH has developed its own simplified battery powertrain system and can provide battery power options for any of its models in its line of equipment. RDH has also been retrofitting existing equipment from diesel to battery power and is currently retrofitting an 8 yd 3 LHD and developing a battery power system for surface mining vehicles.”
At MINExpo Artisan announced the launch of the 1 5 3, a battery powered 1.5 yd 3( 1.15 m 3), 3 t LHD powered by lithium batteries and an extremely power dense electric motor system.
A Paus MKU 10E for trolley operation underground and, right up to date, the MinCa 5.1 available with diesel, battery or hybrid power
Artisan says it“ not only reduces ventilation and cooling expense for mining companies, but also outperforms the diesel competition.
“ The 1 5 3 has 300 % of the horsepower of a diesel 1.15 m 3 LHD. It loads quicker, hauls up steep grades faster, and is more precise and responsive to operator commands. Operators prefer our battery-powered units over diesel because of their higher productivity, more tonnes moved per shift, zero poisonous diesel emissions, extremely low heat, and quiet operation. Moreover, the total cost of ownership is comparable, and in many cases lower, than diesel.
“ The days of allowing toxic diesel fumes in underground mines will soon end and will be memorialised in museums as a mining method from a primitive past’” said Mike Kasaba, Artisan’ s CEO.
Electrical leadership
In February, Hermann Paus will be inducted into the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame. Still active in the industry, he has been a great innovator in underground mining equipment. He founded the company Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik in 1968 and since 1974, the company has been designing and producing machines for mining. In 1984, Paus developed the first electro-hydraulic 25 t dump truck which was operated by a 1,000 V pantograph.
His spirit of adventure motivated him to develop innovative solutions made for customers with special requirements, needs and with high quality standards.
Today the Paus team of engineers, sales, production and further experts have the same motivation in combination with modern progressiveness. So, they developed the MinCa 5.1, available as regular diesel, battery-powered version or as a hybrid.
The smaller version of the MinCa 18A( rescue vehicle) as a battery-powered unit was built for additional support to reduce ventilation expenses. The hybrid completes and extends the range and achieves even more travel distance because down ramps help recharge the battery. Paus says it is“ the perfect vehicle made for transportation of five passengers based on the self-supporting chassis. The user has the
74 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2017