CHARGING SOLUTIONS
according to the company. It will also allow further interoperability and synergy of connections and interfaces in electric mining trucks.
The development follows the launch of the company’ s original 600 kW eMine FastCharge charger all the way back in 2021. As a founding member of the CharIN taskforce for electrical standards in mining, ABB has been working to accelerate the adoption of electrical interface solutions for the industry, with this latest innovation forming a key part in achieving this ambition.
The fully automated, interoperable connection device is ruggedised to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of mines. This has been tested out with a“ dummy plug” connection and an ACD prototype at Boliden’ s Aitik mine, in Sweden, with more details set to be shared at The Electric Mine 2025, in Santiago, Chile, this month.
“ Allowing for a seamless transition into existing mining operations, the technology’ s scalability and interoperability means it will be compatible with current and future mining trucks, connection mechanisms and interfaces,” ABB says.
Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB Process Industries, said:“ The fact that robotic technologies can and will be incorporated into the most advanced modern mining operations is a proud milestone in ABB’ s overall 50-yearlong journey with robots. Bringing this together with electrification and automation is a strong differentiator for ABB, and we’ re even more impactful through our collaborations with industry partners.
“ Clearly, the industry is on a trajectory towards increasingly automated and autonomous operations – technologies like eMine Robot ACD are essential for applications that meet new needs and growing possibilities. It’ s an exciting field to be part of today.”
Stäubli on steady, fast charging
Stäubli Electrical Connectors also chose MINExpo 2024 to up the battery charging ante, debuting an“ industry-leading” 7.5 MW charger.
Stäubli has developed the Quick Charging Connector( QCC) System to, it says, fulfill the needs of mine operators, with its MULTILAM technology ensuring a reliable electrical connection and guaranteeing steady, fast charging.
The QCC-5000 fast charging connector system has been further developed specifically for the mining industry to electrify fleets and accelerate the transition to zero-emission mining operations.
“ Higher charging power is all about properly managing heat,” the company says.“ By cooling its cables and the charging pin and verifying performance in extensive test sessions, Stäubli has achieved 7.5 MW charging with up to 4,250 A of continuous current and 5,000 A peak at 1,500 V DC.” With safety in mind, the automated connector on the QCC-5000 is IP55 qualified, with ingress protection from water and dust. The system only reveals the charging contacts at the end of the connection process when the pin and socket are fully connected.
Current manual systems feature unprotected contacts, according to the company. That makes them more prone to failure in demanding mining applications and exposes the workforce to higher risks.
One of the key elements that makes the QCC-5000 stand out is how it combines charging power, safety and automation possibilities, Stäubli says. Using an automated connection device increases operational safety in mines and means drivers no longer have to get out of their vehicle to initiate the charging process.
Depending on the application, vehicle type and general customer needs, the QCC- 5000 system offers a variety of integration possibilities: with a standard Stäubli guiding system, mounted to a robot arm or even fully customised solutions. Furthermore, the system is fully mating compatible with the already existing, tried and tested QCC-1500, allowing the use of the same interface for multiple charging power levels.
The QCC System built for the mining industry aligns with the SAE J3105 / 3 electric vehicle charging standard. This open standard, encompassing the design of charging pins and sockets, paves the way for various suppliers to provide compatible solutions, it says.
Stäubli has developed the Quick Charging Connector System to, it says, fulfill the needs of mine operators, with its MULTILAM technology ensuring a reliable electrical connection and guaranteeing steady, fast charging
20 International Mining | MAY 2025