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THE LEADER VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 1
Autonomous BEVs advance
Sandvik has been making big strides with its LH518iB underground loader recently - a significant machine in that it is battery electric but is also automation-capable as standard and can already be ordered and delivered with an AutoMine onboard kit .
Sandvik first launched the LH518iB in March 2023 , which was the first Sandvik underground battery machine equipped for full automation , being compatible with its AutoMine Lite and AutoMine Fleet offerings as well as its Manual Production Monitoring system . Sandvik ’ s patented self-swapping battery system on board the LH518iB , including the AutoSwap and AutoConnect functions , minimises infrastructure needs and enables the loader to return to operation significantly sooner than ‘ fast-charge ’ mining BEVs , the company claims .
And some of the loaders are transitioning to autonomous operation already . The OEM said in early December 2024 that it had successfully commissioned two Toro ® LH518iB batteryelectric loaders , now autonomously operating at New Gold Inc .’ s New Afton mine in British Columbia , Canada .
These 18 t loaders have been operating in the designated test area within the Lift 1 footwall , preparing for the C-Zone transfer level completion by year-end . Sandvik said : “ This is a significant milestone for Canadian mining , as these are North America ’ s first fully automated battery-electric loaders . Their introduction highlights the potential of automation and electrification in mining .”
This will enable New Afton ’ s operations to enhance cycle times and reduce heat , noise and greenhouse gas emissions at Canada ’ s only block cave mine , the OEM added .
Looking at the wider market for the machine , back in August 2024 , the first Sandvik LH518iB battery-electric loader and supporting batteries arrived at the McIlvenna Bay project in Saskatchewan , Canada , project owner Foran Mining reported .
In its most recent project update on December 3 , Foran said that in October 2024 it had completed construction of a concrete floor for its underground BEV equipment charging bay on the mine ' s 60 m level . October also saw Foran completed approximately 343 m of underground lateral development , the highest monthly advance for the project to date . The main decline was nearing the 150 m level .
Also in North America , the machine is operation at Rio Tinto ’ s Kennecott Underground copper project in Utah , USA ; while it has been deployed at several European operations , including LKAB ’ s Malmberget operation and Boliden ’ s Garpenberg zinc mine , both in Sweden . In November 2024 , LKAB started commissioning AutoMine for the LH518iB at Malmberget . In Norway , the test-phase for electric machinery is in progress at Rana Gruber ’ s underground iron ore operations , including LH518iB units . In Asia , the first LH518iB arrived recently at Rio Tinto ’ s Oyu Tolgoi coppergold mine .
In Latin America , Torex Gold ' s Media Luna project in Mexico includes 11 Toro LH518iB battery-electric loaders and four Sandvik DD422iE twinboom battery-electric drill jumbos . In its Q3 2024 update , Torex said that four of the BEV loaders had arrived and had been commissioned .
And the machine is also set to get to work in Australia . In early December team members from global mining contractor Byrnecut , along with clients Gold Fields , 29Metals and Sandvik joined forces for a comprehensive site risk assessment on Sandvik LH518iB units at Byrnecut ' s head office at Perth Airport .
Byrnecut stated : “ These impressive machines are destined for our Invincible and Golden Grove sites , marking another step forward in innovation and operational excellence . By working together across organisations , we ’ re ensuring the seamless integration of cuttingedge technology into our projects while maintaining the highest safety and efficiency standards . A huge thank you to everyone involved in this collaboration , teamwork drives success .”
Sandvik has in addition been working on advanced sim-based training for BEVs . The new Digital Trainer - LH518iB is a training simulator for the Toro LH518iB . IM recently spoke about these new BEV training solutions with Training Manager - Load & Haul Division at Sandvik , Shiv Kumar .
He states : “ We have introduced some new battery electric models in recent years like the LH518iB and TH550B and given the new technology , customers have no experience in training operators to use them . Plus , these are higher initial cost machines , so there is a reluctance to put inexperienced operators into them without the proper training .”
He added that the overall platform is broadly similar to diesel equipment but with important differences in the controls and the display . And there are major changes in terms of scenarios and skills . “ The most important changes we have had to make for BEV sims is including the battery AutoSwap , some controls changes and changing the operator visibility due to the battery location . For AutoSwap for example , we have had to add more camera views for the operator . Another challenge we addressed was with simulating the driveline – in the diesel equipment we have incorporated engine simulations but for BEVs we are dealing with motors and inverters which deliver power differently – we have to reengineer and redesign how much torque and accleration we need to simulate based on that .”
Finally a note on production to meet expected demand – to date , the machine has been produced mainly in Turku , Finland but production of the LH518iB is also due to begin by Q3 2025 at Sandvik ’ s new production unit in Malaysia for underground vehicles – located in Seremban , around 70 km south of Kuala Lumpur .
Paul Moore Editorial Director paul @ im-mining . com
JANUARY 2025 | International Mining 3