UNDERGROUND LOAD & HAUL
Load , haul , dump … and charge
As always in our annual round-up of underground primary fleet technology , we take a global view – this time focused on battery electric being the long term industry driver . Paul Moore reports
Just like in surface mining – in underground load and haul , the unmistakable long term trend is towards both autonomous operation and electrification with batteries and everything that goes with that in terms of infrastructure . However , while there are a number of trials and test phases underway , with a few exceptions like Kirkland Lake Gold ’ s Macassa , Newmont ’ s Borden and the in-development Glencore Onaping Depth , there are still very few mines designed around full or near full battery electric fleets . That said , many major underground projects are now citing battery electric mining as a considered approach at feasibility stage .
Before getting into battery electric progress , it is good to highlight the fact that Stage V diesel engines still represent a major step forward for underground operators in medium term emissions reduction . As an example , in early 2020 , the Toro™ LH517i and LH621i became the first Stage V compliant underground loaders from Sandvik . Earlier this year in 2021 , when it introduced the new the Toro™ LH410 , this model also got a Stage V engine as a new option , and a wide range of other new features . The company told IM : “ Currently , more of our loaders and trucks are being outfitted and tested with new Stage V engines . It is expected that we can share more news about product upgrades and new product releases later this year .”
Sandvik follows the European Stage V exhaust emission legislation for off-road engines to reduce the number of diesel particles in the exhaust . The Diesel Particle Filter ( DPF ) helps to improve air quality underground in the power range 130-560 kW . Passive DPF regeneration takes place during normal operation to minimise equipment downtime . For the larger equipment
in power ranges higher than 560 kW , the requirements are different and therefore the solutions will be different .
Additionally , loaders and trucks with a Stage V engine have built-in fire prevention solutions to reduce the risks relating to fire underground . This equipment is designed with corrosion , heat and water resistance materials , are quieter and fuel consumption is reduced by an average of 3 % compared to lower stage engines .
“ Our customers are expecting to get value for their investment : a productive , reliable truck or loader with excellent performance and overall low cost of ownership . As there are no uniform standards , this is why extensive customer field tests and following legislation and national certification standards , such as Canmet and
The R1700XE is the first battery powered / zero emissions equipment for the Cat underground hard rock mining LHD product line
MSHA , help us prove that our vehicles meet their needs and are the best in their class . There were more than 10,000 hours of testing in underground mining conditions across multiple customer sites before making the Stage V an available option . The Stage V engines are now globally available as an option on certain Sandvik loaders and trucks ; and as described , more and more equipment will have this engine option available .”
Since the successful launch of its Minetruck MT65 in 2016 , Epiroc has maintained the Minetruck MT65 ’ s position as the highest
Sandvik continues its program to develop Stage V compliant underground loaders and trucks for the mining industry
20 International Mining | JUNE 2021