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operation , the company says .
The first applications of the technology are the Utimec XL 1100 Agitator ED , with a practical concrete transportation capacity of 10.5 cu . m , designed for concrete transportation in underground mines and tunnels with a minimum tramming height of 3.3 m .
Tailor-made for harsh underground conditions , the vehicle is equipped with a voluminous , wearresistant and remote-controllable concrete drum and a hydraulically-operated discharging chute , allowing for more versatile vehicle positioning , Normet says . Both mixing and unloading are controlled electrically and can be operated with zero local emissions by plugging the machine into the mine ’ s power grid . This increases operator comfort by significantly reducing heat output and noise and by eliminating underground emissions .
The XL 1100 Agitator ED comes with an array of features such as both front and rear support legs to ensure maximum operating stability , a form oil system to prevent concrete from adhering to the vehicle ’ s surfaces and a high-pressure washer with a 500-litre on-board water tank .
Last year , Redpath Australia representatives visited Normet ’ s factory in Iisalmi , Finland , to see and feel the XL ED prototype , with the company impressed by the value the XL 1100 could provide , Normet said . This saw Redpath order several XL 1100 Agitator EDs for its operations , set to be delivered this year .
Normet concluded : “ We are immensely proud of the new Normet ElectroDynamic technology and the XL offering , both reflecting our passion for continuously developing innovative solutions and technologies to meet and exceed customer and industry expectations for safety , productivity and sustainability . Designed and built to minimise its environmental impact as a key driver , Normet ’ s broad equipment offering pioneers the transformation into greener underground operations .”
Sandvik opts into recycling program
Sandvik recently introduced what it believes is an industry-first ‘ opt-out ’ recycling program for customers of carbide drill bits , aiming to transform the use of a material expected to run out within 40 to 100 years if consumption rates continue unabated .
Tungsten , a key component in cemented carbide , is a scarce and finite material . Making tools from recycled carbide requires 70 % less energy and emits 64 % less CO 2 . It also reduces nitrous oxide emissions , according to the OEM .
Sandvik aims to collect 90 % of its own used bits by 2025 , while other manufacturers ’ used bits can also be recycled within the scope of the new initiative .
Jens Holmberg , President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions ’ Rock Tools division , said : “ Our breakthrough opt-out program supports our customers ’ drive to mine more sustainably and demonstrates our commitment to delivering on Sandvik ’ s ambitious sustainability goals to halve CO 2 emissions by 2030 . We are determined to lead the industry into a new era , fully committed to embed circularity across an essential component of mining .”
The recycling of drill bits is an important part of making the mining industry more sustainable , yet , historically , carbide recycling has faced several challenges . Collection of used products has been limited while carbide extraction has been cumbersome , inefficient and involved hazardous ways of working , Sandvik says . The zinc recycling process has not returned the same quality of carbide performance , either .
Sandvik says it is now able to help customers overcome these challenges through its new optout program .
“ Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive ,” Holmberg said . “ We need to transition our industry at an unprecedented speed . Our recycling program is one of many new initiatives you will see from Sandvik ’ s Rock Tools division moving forward . We are an industry leading supplier in mining globally , and we need to do everything in our power to support and push the industry forward .”
To further underline the importance of cemented carbide recycling , Sandvik is offering its customers industry-first extraction support . This will make it easier , faster and safer to recycle dull drill bits , it says , with a new patentpending method that will reduce emissions from transportation by 93 %.
SSAB and Epiroc ’ s circular solution
Still on the recycling agenda , Epiroc recently became the first company in the mining industry
As part of its new opt-out program , Sandvik aims to collect 90 % of its own used bits by 2025 , while other manufacturers ’ used bits can also be recycled within the scope of the new initiative
to sign a delivery agreement with Swedish steelmaker SSAB for SSAB Zero™ , a product made of recycled steel and produced with fossilfree electricity and biogas .
The steel will be used in Epiroc ’ s batteryelectric range of underground mine trucks and loaders , set to be introduced as soon as the September quarter of 2023 .
Sami Niiranen , President of Epiroc ’ s Underground division , said : “ We are very excited to utilise SSAB ’ s pioneering low-carbon solutions . This is one of many ways that we are accelerating the transformation of the mining industry – while also helping our customers to reach their sustainability goals .”
SSAB Zero will be used in the production of Epiroc ’ s Smart and Green series of batteryelectric mine trucks and loaders , enabling , it says , zero-emission underground operations . The partnership with SSAB is part of Epiroc ’ s longterm commitment to produce the world ’ s greenest machines and to halve CO 2e emissions by 50 % by 2030 compared with 2019 , as well as SSAB ’ s aim to help create fossil-free value chains .
Thomas Hörnfeldt , Head of Sustainable Business at SSAB , said : “ SSAB Zero broadens our zero emission portfolio and strengthens the business offering , allowing us to bring zeroemission steel to our customers already this year . There is a large demand for this kind of steel ; it is satisfying to have such an offer in place .”
Epiroc has now signed a delivery agreement for both of SSAB ’ s zero-emission steel types : SSAB Zero , based on recycled steel , and SSAB Fossil-free™ , based on iron ore without fossil fuels . At the end of 2022 , Epiroc showcased the
12 International Mining | JUNE 2023