HIGH PROFILE
FLANDERS ' FREEDOM solutions for trucks allow customers to take a step by step approach when moving along the decarbonisation path
FREEDOM for a sustainable future
Paul Moore recently talked to FLANDERS about its innovative and patent pending FREEDOM ® hybrid haul truck solutions
It has a been a big seven months for independent mining equipment technology major FLANDERS – announcing both the opening of a major new mining-focused Innovation, Technology, and Training Centre in Carmel, Indiana, known as Flanders Innovation Technology, Training( FITT); plus signing a deal with the world’ s leading mining services company Thiess to collaborate on bringing hybrid-based decarbonisation options for its already running mining fleets in North America along with a Letter of Intent( LOI) for Australia and Asia, both specifically relating to the deployment of its innovative and patent pending FREEDOM ® hybrid haul truck solutions.
Wayne Chmiel, Global President of the newly formed division FLANDERS Technology Solutions told IM said the FITT centre will house the autonomy engineering team – including for autonomous drilling technology, where FLANDERS is a global leader. And it will also be the hub for further development and evolution of the FREEDOM for haul trucks technology from FLANDERS, which is focused on retrofit upgrades of mechanical drive and diesel electric drive mining trucks to diesel engine plus battery hybrid.
The FREEDOM cabinets for the hybridisation kits will be manufactured at the primary FLANDERS facility in Evansville, Indiana, a largescale production site with substantial manufacturing capabilities. Meanwhile, software and electronic product development will be centralised in Carmel. Thiess attended the opening ceremony of the FITT Carmel centre and through its agreement with FLANDERS, will become the launch customer for the FREEDOM system for haul trucks.
What synergies are there between the companies? Chmiel:“ Mining is a cost competitive business, and we sought a partner that is focused on producing at the lowest costs. Our hybrid solution is a decarbonisation solution for sure, but more importantly, it is a cost improvement solution, and we sought out Thiess as they are the lowest cost producer in the market. Together, we have a very clear and common collaborative vision for reducing mining fleet emissions, but profitably, which has been the case right from my initial meetings with Thiess VP Operations North America, David Perkins. We also have very complementary offerings – both companies are very good in the segment they operate in. Thiess’ s skill set is running mining equipment efficiently and at the lowest cost per tonne for clients, while FLANDERS leads the industry in advanced drive solutions, technology, automation, and retrofitting capabilities across any OEM.”
It is also an ideal collaboration as neither Thiess nor FLANDERS are tied to any particular OEM in any way – both are truly agnostic, searching for the best solution for their customers.“ Both companies have similar DNA and are first and foremost very pragmatic and open minded. FLANDERS OEM-agnostic, retrofittable solutions for new and and old trucks, allow us to address the diverse challenges of mining fleets globally, equipping them to reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.”
So how will the FREEDOM for haul trucks collaboration proceed from here? Chmiel:“ We have talked about conversion of trucks, both diesel electric and mechanical drive. Thiess has over 3,000 pieces of equipment so there is no shortage of candidates."
FLANDERS ' FREEDOM solutions for trucks allow customers to take a step by step approach when moving along the decarbonisation path. As an initial step, FLANDERS can just replace the cabinet of an electric drive truck. Chmiel:“ Our cabinets have been designed to be a drag and drop for many different models and brands. It is well known in the industry that many of the older fleets are experimenting electric parts availability issues, especially for cabinets. Our cabinets allow customers to tackle this obsolescence problem, upgrade their truck performance and take the first step towards decarbonisation, since this cabinet is the same we would use to hybridise their trucks.”
In the case of Thiess, this could be a perfect opportunity for keeping low cost assets running for longer with an improved performance. Once the initial conversions are carried out and proven, Thiess will ultimately carry out the conversions to the FREEDOM for haul trucks hybrid system themselves, under licence from FLANDERS and
The FREEDOM for haul trucks modularised system and cabinet( shown here) is designed for very easy maintenance
40 International Mining | APRIL 2025