UNDERGROUND LOAD & HAUL
MT436B project is set to be completed in 2023 , with the first conversion globally of this model being carried out in Spain .
Battery electric machines filtering into industry
Looking at orders for new battery electric equipment , Epiroc has announced numerous deals of late . It has won a major battery-electric and autonomous fleet order from the owners of the Odyssey Mine in Malartic , Québec , Canada . The equipment ordered during the March quarter includes battery-electric versions of the Boltec ( an M10 Boltec , pictured ) rock reinforcement drill rig , Simba production drill rig and Boomer face drilling rig ( jumbo ). It also includes an Easer raise boring rig , Scooptram loaders , and Minetruck haulers .
Over in Norway , the Nussir copper mine will use a 100 % BEV fleet of 47 machines including the primary mining fleet plus utility vehicles . The mine will use an innovative mining method with five mobile crushers , one on each ore pass , of which there will be one every 360 m . A partnership with Epiroc includes both the Scooptram ST14 Battery LHD and the Minetruck MT42 Battery truck as well as drilling equipment .
Ivanhoe ’ s Ivanplats , the Platreef project operator in South Africa made an initial order with Epiroc for its primary mining fleet includes emissions-free , battery-electric M2C jumbo face drill rigs , Scooptram ST14 Battery 14 t LHDs , battery-electric Boltec bolting rigs and Minetruck MT42 Battery 42 t dump trucks . Ivanplats has received Platreef ’ s first battery powered underground equipment ; a ST14 Scooptram and a Manitou MHTX 790 telehandler , which have successfully been slung down to the 950 m level and are now working .
In Chile , Codelco is trialling an Epiroc Scooptram ST14 Battery LHD at the underground El Teniente copper mine . The company has also told IM that it is looking at battery electric truck options for use underground in El Teniente . Codelco already has extensive experience since 2019 with a Komatsu 18HD 18 t hybrid drive LHD which allowed it to validate the positive business case of going down the electric route and to understand what is necessary in terms of operational adaptations for an eventual transition to electric mining . But this ST14 Battery is its first ( and South America ’ s first ) all electric loader . It offers 100 % reduction of direct emissions , a 70 % reduction in operating costs , a temperature reduction in working areas of 5 ° C and a significant reduction in noise pollution and vibration .
The trolley and e-rail approach
Offering customers alternative BEV options , Epiroc has also agreed to form a Memorandum of
Understanding ( MOU ) with BluVein , a joint venture between Australian mining innovator Olitek and Swedish electric highways developer Evias . The purpose of the MOU is to fast-track development of the BluVein dynamic charging solution towards an industrialised and robust solution which is ready for deployment across the global mining industry . The MOU is focused on the BluVein Underground solution ( BluVein1 ).
“ The collaboration with BluVein gives us the opportunity to extend the focus beyond our own fleet and produce a dynamic charging solution which suits the needs of mixed fleet customers . I also believe this has potential to be vital for the electrical infrastructure required to fully electrify mine operations ,” says Jess Kindler , Divisional President of the Parts & Services division in Epiroc .
Epiroc will collaborate with BluVein in developing and testing the viability of their patented slotted ( electric ) rail system . This system uses an enclosed electrified e-rail system mounted above or beside the mining vehicle together with the BluVein hammer that connects the electric vehicle to the rail . The system provides power for driving the vehicle , typically a mine truck , and charging the truck ’ s batteries whilst the truck is hauling load up the ramp and out of an underground mine . Epiroc will as part of its contribution to the collaboration provide the first ever diesel to battery converted Minetruck MT42 underground truck for pilot testing on the slotted electric rail system from BluVein .
Finland-based engineering firm , Etteplan says it is collaborating with Epiroc to enable fossil free underground heavy transportation without interruptions and , more specifically , helping
Epiroc is collaborating with BluVein in developing and testing the viability of their patented slotted ( electric ) rail system
redesign its Minetruck MT42 Battery into an electric trolley system .
As part of a strategic partnership project that started in 2021 , Etteplan ’ s offices in Finland and Sweden are providing what it says are crucial resources and expertise in the development , helping secure a timely progress of the project . It is providing technical expertise for battery technology , machine electrification , electrical design , system requirements and safety risk assessment .
Last year , Epiroc , for its part , announced a collaboration with ABB and Boliden to develop an all electric battery trolley truck system based on the MT42 Battery truck for underground mining , with the trio planning to demonstrate the system on a test track in the underground polymetallic Kristineberg mine in Sweden .
Sandvik setting new records
In February 2022 , Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions introduced what it says is the largestcapacity battery-electric truck for underground mining , with the release of the Sandvik TH665B . The unit was launched at The Electric Mine 2022 conference in Stockholm , Sweden by keynote speaker Henrik Ager , President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions . With a 65 t payload capacity , the Sandvik TH665B prototype is completing factory testing in California , USA . Finalisation of the trial agreement with Barminco and AngloGold Ashanti Australia will soon see the truck trialled at the Sunrise Dam gold mine in Western Australia to prove its viability in a long ramp
28 International Mining | JUNE 2022