SURFACE MINING TRUCKS
HYDRA ’ S FCEV mining truck stationary powertrain prototype was recently completed
battery and a fuel cell . The renewable hydrogen will be produced through an electrolysis plant powered by renewable energy . By 2025 , the consortium expects to scale the solution from mining trucks to hydrogen by shifting an entire fleet of trucks at a specific mine site . This will allow the mining company to achieve its decarbonisation goals , while promoting the development of renewable hydrogen in Chile , this being the first step to becoming a potential exporter of renewable H2 .
Added to that the HYDRA Consortium now has a new member – mining truck and mining excavator major Liebherr Group . It joins ENGIE ,
Mining3 , CSIRO Chile , Mitsui & Co ( USA ), Inc , Antofagasta Minerals , Thiess , Reborn , Ballard & Hexagon Purus . Liebherr has a large mining truck fleet in Chile at operations like Collahuasi and Radomiro Tomic and has openly stated its multipronged approach to helping the mining industry achieve its GHG emission reduction goals . It also has trucks operating with fellow consortium member and global mining contractor , Thiess which has the mentioned ongoing contract at the Centinela mine plus others such as at Mantos Copper ’ s Mantos Blancos operation .
On its path to zero emissions in its mining equpiment , Liebherr ’ s Oliver Weiss , Executive Vice President R & D , Engineering and Manufacturing said last year : “ We have decided to go forward in two steps , immediate and medium-term solutions and initiatives . Firstly , we will offer low carbon emission solutions such as electric drive for all trucks and excavator types , trolley assist and cable reeler beginning in 2022 . Additionally , the first renewable fuel option for the internal combustion engine drive train for machines with Liebherr combustions power the battery-electric truck before engines is available . And secondly , performance testing at FMG ’ s Pilbara mining we will offer proven fossil fuel free operations . Fortescue , as a foundation customer , mining equipment by 2030 at the will support the development and manufacturing latest . The equipment for digging , of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell power hauling and dozing will be based on units with the goal for WAE to become a major different drive train technologies player in the growing global market for heavy such as a battery power module , a mobile equipment and rail . H2 fuel cell power module and
On the FCEV side of things , FFI took a older internal combustion engines with 221 t class Terex Unit Rig MT4400 AC electric several further renewable fuel drive truck that it already had in its fleet and solutions depending on the converted it into a running fuel cell electric equipment type .” vehicle ( FCEV ), powered by green hydrogen and battery power , in only 130 days . The prototype is
Fortescue ’ s hydrogen truck journey & limited to 15 km / h for safe operation at the WAE buy
Hazelmere , Perth test facility due to the size of Fortescue Metals Group recently entered into an the yard but by late 2022 , FFI is aiming to test at agreement to acquire UK-based Williams
Fortescue iron ore minesites both this FCEV Advanced Engineering ( WAE ) from EMK Capital hydrogen fuel cell truck as well as the mentioned and Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited for 240 t all battery electric truck . £ 164 million ($ 223 million ) in a deal that closed FFI Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth in early March 2022 and will , FMG says , enable it recently told IM : “ The MT4400 AC was chosen as to accelerate and support the decarbonisation of the base truck for the FCEV project as it had its mining operations as well as establish an achieved its end of life for mining , it was important new business growth opportunity . WAE available and is a good donor truck for this type will be vertically integrated into Fortescue ’ s diversified
FFI ' s FCEV mining truck at its resources and green energy Hazlemere facility in Perth
business and will be managed via Fortescue Future Industries ( FFI ), Fortescue ’ s green energy and green technology division . Fortescue has worked closely with WAE since early 2021 to design and build a prototype battery system to power an electric mining haul truck , an important first step in the decarbonisation of its mining haul fleet , the miner said . Together , of work .” When asked what made it possible to Fortescue and WAE will develop battery-electric achieve an operating FCEV truck in only 130 days , solutions for Fortescue ’ s rail , mobile haul fleet Shuttleworth commented : “ Stretch targets are and other heavy mining equipment , to accelerate nothing new for Fortescue , and at FFI we have the rapid abatement of diesel usage to achieve approached this as we have done with other the decarbonisation of Fortescue ’ s mining stretch targets – by setting targets that others operations by 2030 . In addition , Fortescue and would consider impossible and then leveraging WAE will work together to grow WAE ’ s green from our experiences through engineering , technology and engineering business . trades , and leadership to work collaboratively
One of the first major projects to be developed together as a fully empowered and will be a world leading battery-electric train entrepreneurial team .” She added on whether concept . The two are also working on a 240 t allbattery-electric truck that is in development . WAE the FCEV truck finalised : “ Fuel cell to battery
the current ratio of fuel cell to battery power on
has begun testing the cells of a battery that will power modelling has been done extensively ,
MAY 2022 | International Mining