UNDERGROUND LOAD AND HAUL
Volvo CE’ s new concept HX1 autonomous, battery-electric, load carrier
of advanced technology and verification, as an invited panelist, to share Volvo’ s current work around electric power in mines.
With its never-ending consideration for the environment, Volvo is investing heavily in alternative solutions – alternative fuels, hybrid technology and electrification. Such alternatives contribute not only to reduced fuel consumption, but, equally important when working underground, further reduction in emissions and noise pollution.
At the company’ s Xploration Forum event held last year in Eskilstuna, Sweden, attended by customers and others, Volvo CE showcased some of the fruits of its investment. Presented under the umbrella of‘ Volvo Concept Lab’ – a new Volvo Group initiative – the event saw the unveiling of the LX1 prototype hybrid wheel loader – a machine with the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 50 %; demonstrations of a prototype autonomous wheel loader and ADT working together, and an electric site solution that showcased the new concept HX1 autonomous, battery-electric, load carrier.
Volvo CE has teamed up with its customer Skanska Sweden, the Swedish Energy Agency and two Swedish universities – Linköping University and Mälardalen University – to collaborate on this SEK203 million electric site project.
With clear implications for mining / underground mining, the electric site project aims to transform the industry by reducing carbon emissions by up to 95 % and total cost of ownership by up to 25 %. All of the innovations shown at the Xploration Forum are ongoing research projects that aren’ t commercially available at this stage.
Volvo CE continues to develop technologies connected to electro-mobility, intelligent machines and total site solutions to benefit its customers and the environment by contributing to increased machine performance, productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability.
Bell Equipment last year launched its B60E, elevating the design and performance of the original B60D to the next level. Described by Bell as“ the next generation”, its 4x4 full articulation steering and oscillation joint“ provides more offroad capability than any other conventional rigid truck and its Mercedes Benz engine offers the lowest cost per tonne on the market.”
The B60E was presented along with the company’ s new E-series large trucks for the first time in North America at CONEXPO 2017. Featuring the new E-series truck styling and features, the range includes the latest generation Mercedes Benz engine, certified for off-highway use by MTU, with an Allison transmission.
The B60E is an ADT with a single rear axle instead of the more typical double axle. The traditional ADT characteristics of all-wheel drive, oscillation joint and articulation steering are maintained to deliver a proven competitive alternative to both rigid dump trucks and traditional ADTs.
Bell Equipment Product Marketing Manager, Tristan du Pisanie points out that when compared to other ADTs, the B60E offers a level of productivity never seen before. " While the twoaxle configuration does not have the same level of off-road ability that a three-axle ADT has, due to the higher ground pressure at the rear, there are many ADT customers who do not need all of the capability of a traditional ADT and the simpler B60E is a great solution. In addition the B60E has almost no tyre scuff, a major sore point for the middle and rear axles of a three-axle ADT. We have sold a number of B60s to ADT customers in various parts of the world who are running the B60E very successfully and enjoying the increased productivity it offers."
The B60E shares the B50E front chassis powered by a EU4 / Tier4final certified 430kW Mercedes-Benz / MTU inline six-cylinder engine combined with Allison’ s secen-speed transmission. Braking and retardation of the 42.5 / 97.5 t 4x4 is assured by wet brakes on all wheels in combination with powerful Jacobs Vehicle Systems ® engine braking.
The rear chassis is a completely new design and incorporates all practical experiences and analytical data gathered in the extensive fouryear test program with B60D prototypes and production machines working in mining operations in South Africa. Now featuring a suspended 70 t rear axle with 24.00 R35 twin tyres, the nominal payload is rated at 55 t. Far larger than a conventional ADT bin, the flatbottomed 35 m ³ body resembles a rigid-truck bin in its dimensions and geometry, which makes it fully compatible with existing loading equipment in mines and assures an ideal 2:1 heap of coarse blasted material.
The truck has proven its versatility on customer sites easily managing steep gradients, tight turning circles and poor underfoot conditions.
Narrow vein options
Aramine continues to develop innovative machines for narrow vein mining. The company reasons that the flexibility of development and the lower capital investment required allow faster return on investment especially in these days of big fluctuation of raw material costs.
The French company offers a complete range of narrow vein machines integrating the latest technologies such as battery, radio remote control and the relevant regulations in terms of safety and ergonomics that are motivating mining companies to develop narrow vein mining.
Aramine’ s miniDumper T500 is a simple and reliable truck for underground mining work in narrow vein applications.
Based on the power frame and components of the L150D LHD, the T500D miniDumper will help the customer to keep control of parts inventory and fleet rationalisation.
With its four-wheel drive, heavy duty articulated frame and oscillating axle, the T500D will smoothly carry loads in the toughest road conditions and short turning radii of underground narrow vein mines.
The dumpbox, with a height of 1,500 mm, has a safety raised locking device and can be equipped with or without wide opening automatic rear tailgate.
Because safety and comfort are always Aramine priorityies, the operator’ s compartment offers a high comfort seat with adjustable
50 International Mining | JUNE 2017