FUELS IN MINING
Liebherr ’ s D9812 , part of its D98 Series , is fully compatible for use with sustainably produced HVO fuel .
mining equipment compatible with biofuel ( biodiesel fuel blends up to B20 confirming to ASTM D7467 ). The first set of HD785-7 dump trucks compatible with biofuel was recently handed over to a customer at a ceremony held at KIPL ’ s factory at Oragadam in Tamil Nadu .
Komatsu said that this is the start of a new era in the Indian mining equipment industry which can lead to a substantial reduction in carbon footprint . “ Although Komatsu is ready with biofuel compatible mining equipment , it is also essential that a consistent supply of the desired quality of the fuel is available at remote mining jobsites . The Government ’ s thrust on accelerating the use of alternate fuel is expected to complement
such new initiatives of Komatsu .”
US Borax said in December 2021 that it had become the first site across Rio Tinto to trial “ renewable diesel ” fuel in one of its haul trucks . The Boron mine in California conducted a 5,000-hour trial to ensure the truck ’ s performance meets its standards and that the renewable diesel does not impact the truck ’ s fuel system components life , it said . The renewable diesel was running on an mtu engine .
Renewable diesel , the company said , is a like-for-like replacement for the standard diesel that currently runs its trucks . “ The major difference with is that renewable diesel is manufactured using organic biomass , such as vegetable oil and a variety of waste including tallow and residues ,” it said . “ These materials are hydro-treated in the same manner as normal diesel , but the feed stock used means renewable diesel fuel produces significantly less emissions – between 70-80 % less .”
Whereas biodiesel can only , typically , be used as a blend of up to 20 % volume of normal diesel , renewable diesel can be used as a complete replacement or mixed with normal diesel , the company explained .
Fuel security and management
Of course , mining is still almost totally using diesel and there are technologies that are helping manage that resource on-site more efficiently .
Fuels and oils have always been one of the top operational expenses in mining , and over the years , processes have been deployed in context of the available technologies . Banlaw told IM : “ In the 1980s and 1990s fluid transfer hardware enhancements helped reduce the risks of significant leaks and spills . In the 2000s and 2010s , hardware to ensure better ISO cleanliness of fluids avoided many unscheduled maintenance events , and fuel management technologies addressed some of the most significant
areas of fuel waste . Now we are in the 2020s . Fuel prices are 600 % of what they were in the 1980s . It ' s time to ensure that every gallon , litre , or
kilogram of the fuels and lubricants you buy get used to the benefit of your business . It ' s time for infallible fluid security , optimised usage across operations , and the emissions reductions that come with it .”
SOME THINK THAT RAW MATERIALS TRANSPORT REQUIRES TRUCKING . WE THINK DIFFERENT .
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