NORDIC TECHNOLOGY
After approximately 5,000 km driven, LKAB recently confirmed that the first phase of testing with the fully-electric Scania Heavy Tipper truck above ground at the Malmberget iron ore operation has come to an end
charge it once a day, during my lunch break,” Hoffner said.“ That’ s more than enough.”
Peter Gustavsson, Project Manager for the Electrification of the Malmberget Mine, said:“ We are very pleased with how it has gone, even in our cold winter climate.”
The tests have also led to a number of lessons learned, both for LKAB and the supplier.
Gustavsson explained:“ One thing we encountered was problems with cold oil in the hydraulics of the tailgate, which occurred because we don’ t get the excess heat that a diesel engine provides. No one had predicted that problem, but it was solved with an auxiliary heater on the hydraulic tank. Another thing we learned was that you have to start exercising the truck’ s brakes because they rarely need to be used, as you regenerate energy back to the battery instead of using the brake.”
In total, approximately 30,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions have been saved through these tests alone, the companies claim.
Gustavsson concluded:“ The next step is to evaluate the same truck underground as well. In the fall, a new, larger Heavy Tipper with four axles, approximately 40 tonnes of load capacity, twice the battery pack and higher charging speed will arrive. Around the same time, two new electric tractor-trailers that can load 70-85 tonnes will also begin to be evaluated in the Malmberget Mine.”
Boliden, Hypex Bio make leap in green transition
Still in Sweden, Boliden recently announced the introduction of nitrate-free, lowcarbon explosive, developed through a collaboration between the mining company and Hypex Bio Explosives Technology.
This new technology not only reduces the mining industry’ s CO 2 footprint but also eliminates nitrogen pollution in soil and water, setting a new standard for sustainable blasting, Boliden says.
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Hypex Bio’ s patented explosive is a major innovation in commercial blasting – one of the most significant advancements since Alfred Nobel’ s invention of dynamite over 150 years ago, the miner claims.
Back in March, Boliden announced it had become the first mining operator to sign an agreement for the production and delivery of a newly developed explosive from Hypex Bio with significantly improved environmental and climate performance. In the process, the company’ s need for nitrogen treatment of water is being reduced and its climate performance is improving by around 400 t / y of CO 2
, it explained.
On September 16, Boliden and Hypex Bio officially inaugurated Sweden’ s first facility for manufacturing nitrate-free, climatefriendly explosives at the Kankberg mine outside Boliden.
This facility represents a new standard for the next generation of explosives, thanks to a successful partnership between the two Swedish companies committed to driving the future of sustainable and climate-resilient mining, both locally and globally, they say.“ With a production capacity of 270 t per week, this explosive already exceeds Boliden’ s current operational needs, marking a major leap in the green transition of mining operations,” Boliden says.
SSAB Zero finding a home
There were more than a few exhibition booths at bauma, in Munich, last month showcasing the SSAB Zero™ brand last month.
SSAB Zero is the first commercial steel of its kind, the Sweden-based steelmaker says. It is made using recycled steel in a process powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas – resulting in virtually no carbon emissions from fossil fuels during the steelmaking process, the company claims. The fossil carbon emissions in SSAB’ s production of SSAB Zero are less than 0.05 kg CO 2 e / kg steel in Scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol. This steel can thus help reduce carbon emissions at the source, from the steel production process itself, downstream throughout a manufacturer’ s value chain.
The company showcased the first SSAB Zero steel in the Hardox ® product range at bauma. Alongside this, it highlighted pacts with the likes of Putzmeister Group, Volvo Trucks, SBL Maschinenbau GmbH and Haarup Maskinfabrik A / S.
SSAB has also in the past signed agreements to incorporate this low-carbon steel in products from the likes of Epiroc, Sandvik and Volvo Construction Equipment.
SSAB says Hardox 450 made from SSAB Zero benefits manufacturers by:
Immediately reducing the carbon footprint of construction, mining and quarrying equipment;
Lowering emissions from steel production at the source;
Supporting the development of clean energy technologies and achievement of broader sustainability goals; and
Delivering superior hardness and toughness that can withstand the harshest working conditions and environments.
Valmet valves boost reliability, efficiency at Turkiye plant
Valmet, through its certified channel partner, Troya Proses, has been helping the Alagöz Mining plant in Turkiye boost production efficiency and product quality.
At this customer plant, lead is extracted from underground and processed into different end products. Due to the plant’ s remote geographical location, alongside low temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity, product durability and quality are key criteria for the customer.
This was certainly the case for the plant’ s flow control solutions.
Originally, an EPC company recommended Flowrox solutions to be used at the Alagöz plant. From previous experience, this company knew how the robust design and performance of these products have proven to ensure smooth and efficient operations in harsh conditions, Valmet says.
In 2023, the Alagöz plant received the first delivery of products. This delivery consisted of open and closed body type PV and PVE heavy-duty pinch valves together with numerous corrosion resistant, lightweight plastic body PVEG pinch valves that were selected for the hydrocyclone on-off duty.
Flowrox heavy-duty pinch valves are used as control valves for the plant’ s flotation cells. The valves control the flow of materials with high precision, ensuring the separation processes are efficient and effective. The accurate control provided by these valves is crucial for maintaining the quality and consistency of the final product for the customer, Valmet states.
Since the installation of the Flowrox valves, the Alagöz Mining lead-zinc plant has achieved its target production efficiency and product quality, Valmet claims.
“ The precise control offered by these valves has been instrumental in optimising the flotation processes, leading to higher yields and better-quality products,” the Process and Mechanical Maintenance departments at Alagöz said.“ After only one year in use, the valves have not required any sleeve replacements despite the challenging environmental conditions. This has significantly reduced any maintenance requirements and associated costs.”
International Mining | MAY 2025