BATTERY AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The first field follow trial of Caterpillar ’ s R1700 XE battery-electric loader has been deemed a success by one Glencore trial participant , with the machine anticipated to surpass the productivity performance of the equivalent diesel LHD running at Glencore ’ s Nickel Rim South mine , in Sudbury , Canada .
Speaking in a video , Paul Kant , Glencore ’ s Maintenance General Foreman at the mine , said the battery-electric loader was likely to outperform the diesel-powered Cat ® R1700G it was being benchmarked against at the operation over the trial period .
The mine has been using the machine , a 15-t payload loader , as part of ongoing plans to incorporate new technology at its Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations . This includes the development of an all-electric equipment fleet at the Onaping Depth project .
The Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations have played a significant role in the development of the R1700 XE , hosting a proof-of-concept trial of a battery-electric R1300 LHD at one of the mines where the machine ran in trials alongside its diesel equivalent . Caterpillar used the insight gained from this testing to develop the commercial R1700 XE .
The R1700 XE is rated with a 24,190 kg lift and tilt breakout , and , according to Caterpillar , features a battery-electric design that delivers superior productivity in underground applications with the benefits of minimal heat and no engine exhaust emissions . It offers an 18 km / h top speed .
It is designed to work with the Cat MEC500 Mobile Equipment Charger , a 1,656 kg ( 2,037 kg with optional skid ) portable charger that , Caterpillar says , eliminates the need for regular battery handling and swapping , allowing for more efficient charging and production . The MEC500 offers a 500 kW capability at a range of 300-1,000 V and up to 700 A . The adjustable output can be used to trickle charge or quickly charge the R1700 XE – with a single unit delivering a full charge to the R1700 XE in less than 30 minutes or two units in parallel achieving this in less than 20 minutes .
The R1700 XE in Sudbury , working alongside either one or two MEC500s , has clocked more than 11,000 machine hours . During initial test operations , the customer indicated a circa-320,000 kg reduction of CO2 emissions and displayed a more than 10 % improvement in speed on grade .
Machine availability in these field-follow trials has been helped by an up to 150-minute run time between charges and an average 18.5-minute charge rate with the dual chargers .
According to Glencore , the machines Caterpillar has put out in the field to date have also exhibited lower energy consumption compared with the diesel equivalent – more than 10 %, in fact . And , while trials to date have all been in manual mode , Rea said the R1700 XE units in the field could be equipped for teleremote operation and were also “ factory ready ” for Caterpillar ’ s fully autonomous loading system .
And , while Caterpillar continues to clock up the operating machine hours for its R1700 XE , it is also in the process of developing its first battery-electric truck , which will boast at least a 45-t payload and will be first deployed at the Newmont Tanami operation in Australia . specifically tailored for the needs of underground mining . Combining the proven Normet SmartDrive battery-electric architecture with state-of-the-art spraying technology , Normet says the MF 050 VC SD offers “ unrivalled concrete spraying results , superior operator ergonomics and excellent serviceability – with zero local emissions ”.
Normet ’ s latest innovations and features are a direct result of spending thousands of hours in the field listening to customers and gathering operator feedback and improvement proposals , it says . “ With the Spraymec MF 050 VC SD , we created a product for sprayed concrete experts , combining all their valuable knowledge and feedback , incorporating even the smallest details that make a big operational difference .”
Designed with decades of experience , but also with a strong emphasis on operator feedback , the Spraymec MF 050 VC SD is purpose-built for modern mining operations in small and mediumsized tunnels . “ It comes with a cutting-edge dosing system and our revolutionary lowpulsation concrete spraying pump with a maximum theoretical concrete output capacity of 10.5 cu . m with battery-powered operation or , alternatively , 27 cu . m / h with electric operation .”
With the MF 050 VC SD , productive concrete spraying is possible from both inside the FOPS / ROPS certified cabin , and outside of it with a wireless remote controller . In addition , the advanced remote driving system enables safe
The latest addition to Normet ’ s broad concrete spraying equipment offering is the completely new battery-electric Spraymec MF 050 VC SD , specifically tailored for the needs of underground mining and easy machine relocation . The vehicle is equipped with a high-volume on-board compressor and a durable and accurate SB 500 C spraying boom “ with strengthened steel structures , superb rebound protection and outstanding manoeuvrability , allowing for smooth concrete spraying operations ”.
Furthermore , the boom ’ s selectable vertical tracking and nozzle nutation functions ensure uniform spraying results , Normet says .
MacLean gets an ML5 lift
Since initiating its Full Fleet Electrification Program back in 2015 , Maclean Equipment has been as prepared as anyone for the electric shift . This timely development has been rewarded with over 100 MacLean BEVs shipped around the world and over 450,000 operating hours logged .
One of the more recent additions to its lineup is the ML5 Multi-Lift , which was subject to an ‘ Open Day ’ event at its Perth branch in Wangara , Western Australia , in March . This launch event allowed Australian miners and contractors to see firsthand , the first battery-electric mining vehicle MacLean ML5 to arrive in-country before it gets deployed for underground trials .
The newest addition to the MacLean Elevated Work Platform product suite is a purpose-built alternative to the use of integrated tool carriers in underground operations across Australia . The model is designed for mine services installation and repair work from a certified elevated work platform with a 6.5 m working height and a 4.5 t payload .
22 International Mining | MAY 2024