MINING TRUCKS
included a BORDLINE ® CC200 traction battery , an air-cooled traction motor , vehicle control electronics , a battery thermal management system , and a DC Fast charger .
The limestone mine , which is located in Kocaeli-Körfez , east of the Marmara region surrounding Istanbul , Türkiye , is positioned in such a way that the trucks travel downhill , fully loaded , on an average ramp gradient of between 18-20 %. Regenerative braking enables the truck to recharge its battery as it descends , and once unloaded , ascend to the top of the mine using only previously regenerated electric power .
The project delivers significant benefits by revitalising a machine that was approaching the end of its operational lifespan . This approach further supports Nuh Cement ’ s sustainability goals by extending the lifespan of its haul truck , which had reached the end of its 30-year operational cycle , allowing it to operate for many more years . Rather than scrap and replace the original mining vehicle , which would involve disposing of several tons of material and purchasing a new vehicle at the cost of several million dollars , the project propelled greater returns on the initial investment made by Nuh Cement some 30 years ’ ago .
In addition to the economic efficiencies , the retrofitting of this one truck will save approximately 100,000 litres of diesel fuel and prevent 245 tons of CO 2 emissions annually , equivalent to 58 gasoline ( petrol ) -powered passenger vehicles driven for one year . The use of ABB ’ s electric drivetrain solutions in place of a diesel combustion engine offers significantly lower operating costs via a reduction of both fuel consumption and maintenance requirements . In addition , the truck operates with higher performance , thereby increasing the vehicles productivity . On-site workers also benefit from the switch to electric propulsion through reduced noise , less vibration , and a cleaner work environment .
Many of the largest mining operators have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 % by 2030 . Retrofitting trucks in this way is a viable , quick solution that mining operators can take advantage of as an immediate step towards meeting their ambitious sustainability targets .
Group CEO of Nuh Cement , Gökhan Bozkurt said : “ This retrofitting conversion is one of the first in the world and we ’ re delighted with the result . It leads the way towards a more sustainable future for the mining and cement industries and will significantly reduce our costs and impact on the environment .”
ABB Motion ’ s Traction Division President , Edgar Keller said : “ The completion of this project is enormously satisfying because it gives new life to machines that otherwise would have expired , whilst simultaneously lowering costs , reducing carbon emissions and boosting the productivity of Nuh Cement ’ s operations . It proves that converting diesel vehicles to full electric power is possible and at immediate reach . The time to decarbonise the mining industry has well and truly arrived .”
Fabiana Cavalcante , Global Head of Mobile e- Power , ABB Traction told IM at The Electric Mine 2024 : “ We have just completed the first one and the tests have been concluded so now Nuh Cement are running this machine in the mine for some time and then later will start with the conversions of the next ones .”
Fortescue ’ s hydrogen-powered Europa
Fortescue ’ s hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype , dubbed ‘ Europa ’ has reached the significant milestone of having operated off hydrogen for the first time . This development marks a major step in Fortescue ’ s mission to decarbonise heavy industry as well as the company ’ s partnership with Liebherr Mining . Both companies were present at The Electric Mine 2024 at Crown Perth with large delegations and the progress being made with this zero emissions truck program was a subject of discussion .
Delivered in collaboration with Liebherr , Europa is a T 264 Liebherr haul truck and contains a 1.6 MWh battery ( developed in-house by Fortescue WAE ) and 500 kW of fuel cells . The prototype can store over 380 kg of liquid hydrogen . Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer , Dino Otranto said : “ Following the success of our battery electric haul truck prototype at site , we ’ re thrilled to now have Europa up and running on hydrogen . This is a huge achievement for the team and brings us another step closer to having a fleet of zero emissions trucks at our sites by the end of this decade .”
He adds : “ We ’ re aiming to transport Europa to our mining operations within the coming weeks where it will undergo further site-based testing and commissioning . The subsequent test results will inform our future fleet of zero emissions trucks that we ’ re delivering with Liebherr .” It is going initially to the Christmas Creek iron ore mine , where it will transition from a gaseous hydrogen system to a liquid hydrogen system .
Joerg Lukowski , Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Liebherr Mining said : “ With Europa soon moving to site , Liebherr and Fortescue have taken an important step closer to their common target of developing and building zero emission solutions for the mining industry that are both field proven and energy agnostic . This success demonstrates the incredible capabilities of two Tier 1 companies working together to develop viable technologies today that can help the mining industry move towards a decarbonised future .”
In June 2022 , Fortescue and Liebherr established a partnership for the development and supply of zero emissions mining haul trucks . Fortescue anticipates that the final fleet will also comprise a large number of support Heavy Mobile Equipment from a range of suppliers with the vast majority having a Fortescue WAE power system .
Fortescue has already started to take delivery of the first T 264 diesel electric trucks which will be converted to zero emissions technology before the end of the decade .
NRW participates in Caterpillar ’ s Pathways to Sustainability
Finding a technology pathway to decarbonisation is just as important for mining contractors as it is for owner operators . Major mining and resources sector services provider NRW Holdings says is committed to contributing to a sustainable future through active engagement in innovation and progressive industry practices .
It is one the first large mining contractors to participate in Caterpillar Inc .’ s Pathways to Sustainability program , designed to foster industry learning opportunities to support the energy transition . NRW said its participation in this program will ensure it remains at the forefront of industry knowledge , allowing it to better support its clients , and its own people , to
Delivered in collaboration with Liebherr , Europa is a T 264 Liebherr haul truck and contains a 1.6 MWh battery ( developed in-house by Fortescue WAE ) and 500 kW of fuel cells
46 International Mining | JULY 2024