UTILITY VEHICLES
Finally , in January 2022 , Elphinstone announced its intention to develop a suite of battery-electric vehicles for underground hardrock mining to address the increasing decarbonisation efforts and expectations of its global customer base . Elphinstone has formed a development team with a vision to provide a battery-electric vehicles solution at the forefront of technology while maintaining its reputation for high quality , premium and reliable products , wellpositioned and recognised globally in the underground hard rock mining industry .
The project scope encompasses an end-to-end research , design , development , testing , validation , manufacturing and market commercialisation of an industry-leading battery electric powertrain integrated into the existing range of Elphinstone underground support vehicles .
Volter - a battery monorail evolution
Becker Mining Systems with its Polish subsidiary Becker-Warkop has been constantly developing battery transport systems since 2014 . The first battery locomotives implemented in Polish mines were the manoeuvering monorails with a pulling force of 40 kN and a battery capacity of 190 Ah . Today , the latest generation battery monorails come with a pulling force of 100 kN and a battery capacity of 277 Ah . Over the course of several years , Becker-Warkop has also changed the technology of the battery cells used from lead acid to lithium . The company told IM that this solution brought significant benefits , consisting of an increased capacity of the battery without increasing its weight .
Currently , there are 38 battery monorails operating in hard coal mines in Poland alone . They are used both for transporting people and materials , including manoeuvering monorails used only for transporting materials . In order to unify the equipment , each manoeuvering monorail can be modernised by equipping it with operator cabins . Realising the huge potential in battery systems , Becker-Warkop undertook large-scale activities aimed at promoting these type of machines outside Poland . In the first place , one Ukrainian mine became interested in these means of mining transport . In 2021 , representatives of the Ukrainian mine together with employees of Becker-Warkop visited the mine in Poland , where the Volter Battery Locomotive was presented in operation .
After visiting the mine , the visitors took part in tests of the monorail on the test track at the headquarters of Becker-Warkop . During the tests , the transport capabilities of the machine were presented - material similar to that used in the mine ( weight and dimensions ) was transported and the range of the monorail on a single charge was also checked . The result of these activities was the delivery of the first battery monorail to the mine located in eastern Ukraine in December
2021 . Together with the delivery of the battery monorail , employees from Becker-Warkop conducted training for the mine personnel in the field of operation of the delivered machine and , together with the mineworkers , the monorail was installed and put into operation . Since then , the Volter Battery Monorail System has been working at the mine for over a year and during this time it has completed all the transport tasks set before it .
Becker-Warkop says mine employees appreciated the monorail “ due to its transport capabilities , and most importantly the absence of exhaust fumes caused by diesel engines . The use of batteries as a source of energy also reduces the negative impact on the working environment by significantly lowering heat and noise generation .” An additional advantage of the battery monorails offered by Becker-Warkop is the energy recovery system used - “ thanks to this , we can extend the operation time of the machine , reducing the amount of charging intervals .”
In addition there are financial benefits to
Getman ’ s underground mining tailored telehanders
Getman Corporation ’ s Telehandlers are now part of the company ’ s comprehensive fleet of utility equipment . It states : “ With a broad range of reach and lift capabilities , telehandlers meet the underground mining sector ’ s ongoing need for material transport . Telehandlers are flexible , powerful , and agile , with good visibility and an extendable telescopic boom . The telehandler series delivers the quality , durability , and utility expected with the Getman brand , and is backed by a wide-reaching support and service network that is critical to sustaining productive underground mining operations .”
It adds that with appropriate engine options and enhancements to improve operator comfort and efficiency , the telehandler is an appealing complement to Getman ’ s fleet of utility and purpose driven products .
There are two main products – the Series 9 and Series 10 . The Series 9 has a maximum lift height of 13.5 m and a load capacity of 4,082 kg . It ’ s length to the fork frame is 671 cm and the machine height is 251 cm boom down with a width of 259 cm . The Series 10 has a maximum lift height of 14.2 m , a load capacity of 4,536 kg , length to fork frame of 699 cm ; height
boom down of 272 cm and a width also 259 cm . Both machines are equipped with a Tier IV 87 kW ( 117 hp ) Cummins turbo diesel engine with the option of a MSHA / CANMET approved Tier 3 89 kW ( 120 HP ) Deutz engine .
56 International Mining | MARCH 2023