MINING TRUCKS technically possible and possible from a development cost standpoint on the other . Masayuki Moriyama , President of Komatsu Ltd ’ s Mining Business Division recently told IM that it intends to proceed with the development of “ power agnostic ” dump trucks that can operate with a variety of power sources – such as engines , batteries , trolley systems and hydrogen fuel cells – by 2030 . He commented : “ We are focused on the development of a family of trucks that leverage a variety of power sources , not a specific model . The order of introduction will depend on the market need . The technologies to support our new approach continue to evolve , so it remains to be seen exactly what the final solution will be . When we look at the potential options that may be required to meet the demanding needs of the construction and mining markets it is clear that in some cases these technologies could be combined to add more value to our customers ’ operations . Development will leverage our global resources through collaboration between our teams in Japan and the United States , the latter of which is our development base for ultra-large dump trucks . We have not decided on the testing location yet .”
Caterpillar has a future powertrains program it is calling Project Verde . Brian Weller , Chief
Engineer , Surface Mining & Technology , Caterpillar Inc , told IM last year : “ Caterpillar has responded to customers by launching a project that is focused on energy and emissions reduction , and helping customers decrease their carbon footprints through machinery and power solutions that contribute to lower greenhouse gas .”
The trolley option
Activity in trolley assist has really been ramping up with numerous projects and studies in the works . As the leading supplier of electric drive mining trucks globally , Komatsu is addressing this by developing together with its AC electric drive supplier Wabtec , a new Trolley Assist Package for its 227 t 830E-5 and 290 t 930E-5 trucks that will be formally launched starting with the 830E-5 in 2021 then the 930E-5 in 2022 .
There are two confirmed customers so far for the new 830E-5 trolley package – the first is copper miner Copper Mountain Mining in BC , Canada who have confirmed the mine will reduce carbon intensity by > 50 % in 5-7 years through electrification and capacity increase with a final target of zero by 2035 . The trolley trial could lead to full trolley introduction in three phases in conjunction with other actions such as switching to all electric shovels and drills . The company is partnering with Komatsu , its dealer SMS , electrification technology giant ABB , hydropower group BC Hydro and the BC government to advance this trial . The first phase would help reduce its tCO2e / t CuEq from the current 2.99 to 2.10 , the second phase to 1.55 and the third to zero . Given that Komatsu and Wabtec are delivering the truck solution it is assumed that the ABB involvement will be the trolley line and associated infrastructure . The Copper Mountain trucks that will be retrofitted with the Komatsu / Wabtec Trolley Assist Package are Komatsu 830E-5s that were shipped in 2019 . These trucks were shipped from the factory with some modifications , including access ladder relocation and frame reinforcement for the trolley pantograph structure . The modifications were completed in anticipation of being retrofitted with the Trolley Assist Package . Komatsu told IM that Copper Mountain will be installing the Trolley Assist Package on its fleet of Komatsu 830E-5 haul trucks in 2021 . The second launch customer is Boliden ’ s Kevitsa polymetallic mine ( primary products nickel and copper ) in Finland . Boliden announced in 2019 the arrival of the first of a fleet of 17 Komatsu 830E-5 trucks which are all now on site . It added in October 2019 that 13 of these mining trucks are
Paul Moore spoke to Sayori Nagaoka , PR Secretary at Hitachi Construction Machinery in Japan about its mining truck innovations
Q Do you see trolley assist as playing an important role in mining customers meet emissions targets in the medium term ie the next 10-15 years ? trucks . What strategy is Hitachi taking with large haul truck power over the long term and has any progress yet been made ?
A We do not manufacture our own engines , and have always selected the most suitable engine for each class and model from outside . For fuel cell and hydrogen-battery , we will work with the most suitable partner . We cannot disclose any more details at this time
A Yes , trolley assist but also electric excavators have and will play important roles in helping mining customers meet emissions targets . But it is necessary for mining customers to provide solutions to streamline and optimise operations not only around mining equipment , but also throughout the entire mine for to the reduction of CO 2 and the realisation of a sustainable society . For that , we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with ABB Ltd to explore opportunities for mine operators to target net-zero emissions on 30 March 2021 . The companies will explore opportunities to apply ABB ’ s electrification , automation and digital solutions to mining trucks and excavators provided by Hitachi Construction Machinery , leveraging both companies advanced engineering technologies
Q You developed a trolley version of the EH5000 in 2018 , is this yet being used in the global mining market ?
A We have not sold a trolley version of the EH5000 yet , but we have sold many trolley versions of the EH3500 and EH4000 . As an example we sold a total of 125 trolley trucks from FY2001 to FY2009 alone , and have a high trolley truck market share
Q Longer term , mining companies are considering multiple options including hydrogen-battery haul truck hybrids and all battery haul
Q Is the existing AC3 line up of trucks likely to be the main offering for the next 5-10 years but with Stage V / Tier 4 engines ?
A The existing AC3 truck engines meet Tier 4 Final emissions limits . We cannot disclose specific types of engines being considered as it is related to future development , but we will have products that meet the regulations of each country and region
Q In general what would you say are features appreciated by customers on Hitachi mining trucks versus other models ?
A We have leveraged and applied proven technologies developed by our Hitachi Group companies for the dump truck , including not but limited to : n Advanced Vehicle Stabilisation Controls utilising Hitachi robotics , AC motor and drive control unit technologies n Permission Control technology developed by Hitachi Rail n Industry-leading Fleet Management System developed by Wenco
International Mining Systems Ltd n Sensing technologies and intelligent navigation systems engineered for the automobile industry by Hitachi Group n Linking with ConSite Mine which was developed by Hitachi
Construction Machinery and Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd
MAY 2021 | International Mining