UNDERGROUND LOAD & HAUL
In general , the facilities will allow producing up to 50 units of mining machinery per year .
As background in 2019 , France ’ s Aramine signed a partnership agreement with Russian uranium producer , ARMZ via ARMZ Uranium Holding Co ( Mining Division of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation ) to allow the assembly of the L140B battery-powered miniLoader design in Russia by ARMZ Mining Machinery as project operator . It now produces the machine , referred to as the ARGO 140B , at the PIMCU mining complex in Krasnokamensk , in the Trans-Baikal Territory of Russia – it is significant as it made ARMZ Mining Machinery the first and only company in Russia and the CIS producing lithium-ion battery-powered mining equipment .
Recently the Expert Council on Sustainable Development of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation also approved a project for the manufacturing and use of battery-powered loadhaul-dumpers ( LHDs ) as promoting higher sustainability across the nuclear energy value chain .
“ The world does not stand still ; previously , the economy was driven by business goals , whereas today big companies are getting increasingly concerned for their ecological footprint . One of the most important items on the sustainable development agenda is to minimise the environmental impact . In particular , we are seeing a rapid transition of the mining industry to battery-powered equipment . The abandonment of diesel machines considerably reduces carbon dioxide emissions , while , inside the mine , the replacement of each load-haul-dumper yields tangible results ,” said Igor Semenov , Chairman of the Board , ARMZ Mining Machinery , LLC .
The company says its estimations prove that the operation of battery-powered ARGO LHDs is more efficient than their diesel analogues in terms of sustainable development , primarily , due to zero air pollutant emissions . In addition , battery-powered equipment reduces noise generated by mining operations . Therefore , present-day technology significantly mitigates the negative impact both on workers ’ health and on the environment .
Seven lithium-ion battery-powered ARGO LHDs are currently employed in the uranium mines of PIMCU , PJSC — the largest uranium mining enterprise in Russia . This year , they plan to manufacture and introduce into operation another eight machines .
ARMZ adds : “ According to forecasts , the battery-powered equipment market will actively grow and , in as soon as five years from now , similar diesel and battery-powered machines will cost the same , while PIMCU ’ s transition to a battery-powered LHD fleet is proved to be economically feasible even today . ARMZ Mining Machinery , LLC managed to cut the LHD price cost by 20 % as compared to the overseas counterparts due to a number of organisational and technological solutions . In the future , the company will continue to work towards competitiveness with local facilities manufacturing lithium-ion batteries as the next project phase to be implemented in cooperation with RENERA , LLC ( part of TVEL , JSC ).”
ARMZ and Aramine also recently presented an innovative technology at the 15th International Exhibition MiningWorld Russia 2021 . The BQRS technology is a system for a quick replacement of a lithium-ion battery for Argo LHD 140 underground mining LHDs produced in Russia under a joint project of ARMZ and Aramine . The battery replacement in a mine environment takes just 20 minutes . The technology has been tested in the underground uranium mines of
SMT Scharf is growing its load & haul base significantly to meet demand for standard and battery electric machines worldwide
Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union , PJSC in the Trans-Baikal Territory and at production facilities of other mining companies . Igor Semenov : “ Today , to ensure our competitiveness , we need to master , develop , and implement solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability . Robotisation and electrification are rapidly gaining popularity in the mining sector , both in open-pit and closed mining . Our battery-powered load-haul-dumpers
The new SMT Scharf facility in Johannesburg adds nearly 3,000 m of manufacturing space including six bays for rubber-tyred mobile equipment
are also in demand by mining companies given the need to reach the ESG goals .”
SMT Scharf gets order from Polymetal for prototype battery electric fleet
In the company ’ s recently released 2020 annual report , Germany-headquartered rail bound mining transport and trackless electric mobile equipment major SMT Scharf gave some clues as to how it intends to grow its battery electric underground mining equipment business . Its long electrical expertise and investments such as acquiring RDH Mining Equipment in Alban , Ontario in 2018 , enables it to meet market demand for electrically operated railway systems
and rubber-tyred vehicles . RDH was already one of the industry ’ s most pioneering and successful battery electric players , with sizeable fleets at operations including Kirkland Lake Gold ’ s Macassa gold mine .
SMT Scharf is advancing its battery electric strategy on several fronts . Last year , it entered into a strategic partnership with Anglo-Russian gold mining major Polymetal International in order to develop underground electric vehicles .
34 International Mining | JUNE 2021