UNDERGROUND LOAD & HAUL remote health and performance monitoring . The Artisan driveline and battery solutions have been field tested with more than 500,000 operating hours .
Sandvik ’ s Battery as a Service offer
Battery electric vehicles or BEVs are driving the mining industry to a cleaner future and Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions is playing an upfront role with its range of underground battery LHDs , trucks and drills . It says its BEVs are designed with a safer composition for the most challenging underground environments with its battery technology delivering “ exceptional power , longevity and sustainability .” One part of its offering to mining ( similar to Epiroc ’ s Batteries as a Service - BaaS ) is Battery as a Service – it says this is its way of ensuring mining customers get the most from their electric vehicles by relying on Sandvik ’ s expertise to manage batteries and chargers .
Sandvik retains ownership of the batteries and chargers , takes responsibility for their maintenance and gives availability assurances . Experts also ensure the batteries stay in optimal condition throughout their lives . Connectivity capabilities are leveraged to monitor battery health plus enable planning and scheduling of maintenance to minimise downtime . Sandvik also looks to install updates over the battery life in the mining application to make sure customers always benefit from the latest technology . “ With Battery as a Service by Sandvik , we help you make the shift to battery power by retaining ownership of the battery packs , chargers , spare parts and any needed maintenance . Each program is tailored to the specific needs for the customer ’ s fleet , mine design and cycle duties .”
When the batteries are no longer suited to the mining environment , Sandvik then takes care of repurposing or responsible recycling . With Battery as a Service , customers also only pay for the amount of battery power that they use , giving more predictable monthly costs without upfront investment and unexpected repair charges . The company states : “ You can stay focused on mining while we take care of the battery technology .”
Looking at Sandvik ’ s mobile chargers as an example , which can form part of the Battery as a Service offering , its mobile charging station consists of charging and cooling units , that form a functional pair : mobile charging unit and mobile cooling unit . For maximum flexibility , the same station can be used for charging any Sandvik branded BEV loader or truck . The mobile cooling unit uses low electrical conductivity coolant for increased battery safety . The units are all the same size , contributing to flexible and organised positioning of the mobile charging station . The units can be placed next to each other on the ground and locked together with a special bar . To save ground space , they can also be stacked , one on top of the other . When it is time for a battery change , the operator drives to the battery swapping bay , lowers the depleted battery , picks up a full battery , and continues operation . Thanks to the AutoSwap and AutoConnect functions , all of this is done without leaving the equipment cabin .
Caterpillar ’ s R1700 XE moves into first mines
Caterpillar ’ s current flagship battery electric unit remains the R1700XE LHD , with a 15 t payload and 24,190 kg lift and tilt breakout , featuring a battery electric design that Cat says delivers superior productivity in underground applications with the benefits of no engine heat or exhaust emissions . It offers an 18 km / h top speed . The LHD offers 100 % battery electric propulsion , which generates significantly less heat . An Autodig function optimises loading and traction
control to extend tyre life . Liquid cooling allows the batteries to be cooled while the machine is put back in operation , increasing machine uptime availability . To maximise runtime , batteries stay on the machine . Using the portable Cat ® MEC500 Mobile Equipment Charger , the R1700XE can be fully charged in less than 30 minutes using a single charger or in less than 20 minutes using two chargers . So far , IM understands that a number of units have successfully completed initial field follow testing with two of the major Sudbury nickel miners in Ontario but no details have yet been released . On mining trucks , the 45 t AD45 will be the first battery electric model in the Cat line-up ( and its first underground truck equipped for Command for underground ) but again , no further information is available .
Caterpillar ’ s other main development is the R2900 XE LHD with diesel-electric drivetrain which was displayed at MINExpo 2021 – the new model it says features a significant reduction in
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JUNE 2022 | International Mining 33