International Mining’s Post

Hitachi’s EH4000-based battery trolley mining truck now tested & about to ship to Zambia Hitachi Construction Machinery Co Ltd says it has completed the test machine version of an engineless, full #battery rigid frame dump truck and on January 20, 2024, the test machine will be shipped from #Hitachi Construction Machinery’s #HitachinakaRinko Works in #Japan to the #Kansanshi #copper and #gold mine operated by First Quantum Minerals Ltd in #Zambia. The company also confirmed to IM that this test machine is based on the EH4000 AC-3 platform & has a nominal payload of 200 tons. The OEM stated: “With environmental awareness on the rise in the mining industry, there is growing interest in the electrification of mining machinery as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the high customer demand for the #electrification of dump trucks in particular, which are operated in large numbers at mining sites, Hitachi Construction Machinery began collaborating with ABB Ltd in June 2021 to develop the full battery dump truck. On March 1, 2023, Hitachi Construction Machinery signed a letter of intent (LOI) with First Quantum to establish a zero-emission partnership & the companies plan to conduct technological feasibility trials using the full battery dump truck test machine at First Quantum’s Kansanshi copper and gold mine.” #HitachiConstructionMachinery adds that it has accelerated the development speed of the full battery dump truck by applying proven technology from the current trolley charging type rigid dump trucks. Hitachi Construction Machinery tested the basic operations of the full battery dump truck test machine at Hitachinaka-Rinko Works, by gradually combining the #batterycharging and discharging system, #pantograph, and other power supply systems with the drive system that controls the travel of the dump truck. After it was confirmed that all systems were operating properly, the test machine was ready be sent to the mining site in Zambia. The technological feasibility trials, which are set to begin in mid-2024, aim to verify the basic performance of operations required of a dump truck, such as traveling, turning, and stopping under actual operating loads, as well as the battery charging and discharging cycles. First Quantum, which presently operates 41 Hitachi Construction Machinery (diesel) trolley trucks (39 EH3500AC-II and two EH3500AC-3 rigid dump trucks) at the Kansanshi copper and gold mine, already has much of the infrastructure required for full battery dump trucks in place. Going forward Hitachi Construction Machinery says it will continue collaborating with customers while leveraging their expertise in the development of (diesel) trolley trucks, as well as their extensive delivery record, to accelerate the development speed of the full battery dump truck, thereby contributing to the achievement of virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions from mining machinery. #theelectricmine #futureofmining #mineofthefuture

RIINO expands consortium as it heads into engineering phase The RIINO system, a zero-emission material movement solution leveraging technology influences from monorails, subway systems and the mechanised raise climber, is now officially in the engineering and development stage, with an expanded consortium advancing its development. Having completed an in-depth, four-month scoping study backed by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Vale Base Metals, utilising a consortium approach, supported by the Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC), the company has now moved into this phase, RIINO Inc. President and CEO, Aaron Lambert, told IM recently. “Having been in early-stage development since 2020, we’re excited to move into this new phase and engage directly with all parts of the mining ecosystem,” Lambert said, adding that the consortium RIINO is assembling covers not only mining companies, but also fabricators and constructors. “Our aim is to build a consortium that goes across the value chain, we want to support the technology from the beginning to the end.” In addition to the previously mentioned mining companies, Lambert announced that several more industry leaders have joined the consortium, including mining company Capstone Copper and mining and forestry equipment service company Soudure Dufer. This expansion, RIINO says, highlights the consortium’s growing strength with each new member. The company has also recently partnered with Rainbow Concrete Industries to provide a demonstration site for a prototype system in Sudbury. RIINO is described as an innovative monorail haulage system targeting the reduction of the industry’s carbon emissions and achieving net-zero goals. It is designed to receive its power from the electrical grid which drives the internal, train-mounted motors as well as auxiliary on-board batteries for a complete electric and automated operation. Read the full piece below for more... #RIINO #minehaulage #zeroemissionmining

The platform approach for load & haul electrification Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’s aim to electrify the underground mining space have been gaining traction over recent years, with single BEV machine trials and deployments that typified the early stages of its mission now replaced by fleet-wide agreements that, if not already in operation, will be starting up underground in the years to come. Battery-electric does not make sense for everyone yet as IM has documented in recent months, with a series of both diesel-electric and hybrid diesel-electric LHD sales in Australia having been confirmed. Sandvik has also made clear that it will have something in store for miners in transition between diesel and fully-electric operation, stating last year that it was developing diesel-electric trucks and loaders for the industry. Unlike some of its peers, Sandvik is deliberately building this offering with fully-electric operations in mind. “Currently we are developing diesel-electric solutions both for trucks and loaders,” Juha Virta, VP Sales and Marketing for the Load and Haul Division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, told IM. “We aim to maximise the customer value by utilising modular design in our equipment: battery and diesel-electric equipment will have commonalities eg in drivelines, hydraulics, electrics and spare parts.” This approach will make it easier for customers to transfer from diesel-electric equipment to battery-electric equipment, Virta says. The “commonalities” could also prove beneficial in developing the skill sets required from service personnel. “Energy storage elements are also included in our development portfolio, enabling, for example, hybrid solutions, delivering positive results in the area of fuel consumption and the equipment performance,” he added. To find out more about this evolving offering - plus details of the TH66X diesel-electric demonstrator the company is testing - read the full story below... #mineelectrification #batteryelectric #dieselelectric #mininghybrids #TheElectricMine Byrnecut Barminco Petri Liljaranta

Green mining equipment shines in Electric Mine Outdoor Showcase! An important part of #TheElectricMine 2024's success is the fact we had no less than seven machines lined up outside in Car Park 4 at Crown Resorts Perth that encompass some of the breadth and depth of zero and lower emissions equipment that is already available today. While this Outdoor Showcase is open throughout the conference, on Day 2, May 22, the whole delegate group headed outside for two hours to view these machines. The machines included the world's largest battery-electric underground mining truck, Sandvik's 65-t-class #TH665B, which is currently being put through its paces at AngloGold Ashanti's #SunriseDam with contractor Barminco. This truck has been designed entirely around the Artisan™ battery pack and #electricdriveline. Then Epiroc had its own large truck there - a battery-electric 42 t #Minetruck MT42. Uniquely, the one on show in Perth is a diesel MT42 converted to battery operation. On top of its highly successful factory-delivered BEV line up, Epiroc has also been a pioneer in battery conversions, giving customers more options for existing machines. This particular machine is set to be used for pilot testing of the slotted #electricrail system from BluVein. Our third big hitter was Caterpillar Inc.'s 18.5-t-class R2900 XE. Already proving very popular Down Under, this diesel-electric model bridges the gap to full electric by bringing emissions wins today with its high efficiency electric drive system; plus it complements Cat's smaller all-electric R1700 XE. Next the world leader in underground mining utility solutions, Normet Group with its #Spraymec MF 050 VC SD. This is a dedicated #concretesprayer, purpose-built for modern mining operations in small and medium-sized tunnels. It combines Normet's #SmartDrive® battery-electric architecture with a state-of-the-art spraying system. The model shown was set to be deployed a BHP operation in Australia after the show. Then a glimpse into the future in the form of Komatsu Mining's #batteryelectric PC210E excavator. While this is a 20-ton-class machine mainly used in construction, it really shows the shape of things to come. Plus, Komatsu already offers today cable-electric solutions as well as diesel to electric conversions right up to its giant PC8000 excavator. Last but not least was the Bortana EV battery-electric vehicle which is designed to handle the aggressive operating environment of underground mines having a galvanised body & sealed chassis. It has a 150-km range & can be charged to 80% within 15 minutes. Also in Car Park 4, EPCA - Electric Power Conversions Australia had its converted Cat 777D rigid truck on show with a distinctive green Austin Engineering Ltd truck body - the 750 kW diesel engine has been switched out with a 1,000 kW electric motor & 2 MWh of Xerotech batteries. The conversion was done at its Hazelmere workshop, WA. #futureofmining #mineofthefuture #towardsnetzero

Sandvik, Byrnecut collaborate for a diesel-electric future Leading contract miner Byrnecut will collaborate with Sandvik to develop new #dieselelectric mining equipment with the aim to boost sustainability, efficiency and productivity underground. Under an agreement signed at #TheElectricMine 2024 conference in Perth, Australia last week, the companies will work together to develop underground loaders and trucks featuring electric drivetrains. The overall goal is to create equipment that matches #Byrnecut’s specific capability requirements and helps optimise operations. Pat Boniwell, MD at Byrnecut Australia, welcomed the collaboration. “Diesel-electric equipment has a proven ability to combine the low-maintenance benefits of electric machines with the flexibility of diesel,” Boniwell said. “We have a long association with Sandvik and we’re pleased to be providing input and feedback that will help shape the new Sandvik diesel-electric range. We’re also looking forward to passing benefits of this collaboration on to our customers.” Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said the future of mining is likely to include a combination of multiple coexisting technologies. “An immediate switch to full battery-electric isn’t feasible for every operation,” Eriksson said. “We have extensive expertise in both #batteryelectric and conventional diesel technology within #Sandvik, and we believe combining this expertise will lead to new productive solutions for our customers. We’re delighted that Byrnecut is sharing its knowledge of #underground and will provide feedback to help us develop the best diesel-electric #loaders and #trucks.” Diesel-electric machines typically have a diesel engine that drives a generator which, in turn, provides electricity to motors responsible for movement and operating equipment. Unlike conventional diesel, diesel-electric machines generally have no torque converter and fewer rotating components, allowing for a more flexible design, requiring less maintenance and enabling lower operating costs while maintaining high availability. Sandvik announced last year that it was moving ahead with developing a diesel-electric range of underground loaders and trucks to complement its leading battery-electric offering. The decision followed the showcasing of Sandvik’s Toro™ diesel-electric truck demonstrator to customers at a technology workshop in #Turku, #Finland in 2022. The collaboration between Sandvik and Byrnecut will initially involve establishing a common vision for optimising Sandvik diesel-electric machines for Byrnecut’s needs. Byrnecut will then work together with Sandvik on the design of the machines and provide feedback at various testing stages, including pre-factory testing, operational testing and trial testing. #electricmine2024 #futureofmining #towardsnetzero

ABB, EcoHoist collaborate on low carbon, low cost vertical material transport solution ABB and EcoHoist have executed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the development of a vertical material transport solution for underground mines, combining EcoHoist’s technology with ABB’s technical capability and experience in vertical ore haulage in mining. The EcoHoist aims to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems, by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shafts. This reduction in mine shaft size leads to a reduction in capital cost and construction time compared with skip hoist systems, the company says. The EcoHoist operates on electricity and provides the opportunity for mines using conventional diesel powered load and haul fleets to simultaneously cut production costs and decarbonise. The collaboration will see experts from both companies contributing to solutions for the future of underground ore haulage systems and provides opportunities for further commercial arrangements. This collaboration aims to expedite EcoHoist’s delivery of a subscale demonstration of the technology, by leveraging ABB’s expertise in engineering and hoist safety systems. ABB has a strong reputation for delivering solutions for the mining industry, with more than 600 active production and service mine hoists within its global installed base. #undergroundmining #mineelectrification #minedecarbonisation #minehoists

BHP deploys super size Komatsu 4800XPC electric cable shovel at Escondida BHP has announced the start of operations at #Escondida #copper mine of the first #4800XPC #electric #cableshovel in Chile and Latin America and the third in the world, designed and manufactured by Komatsu. With a weight of approximately 1,750 tons in operation, it is the shovel with the highest capacity worldwide, loading 400-ton #miningtrucks in just three passes, one less than other equipment currently on the market. This allows increasing efficiency during the truck loading process and generating a significant improvement in costs per ton, as well as increasing the safety and comfort of those who operate it. Alejandro Tapia Godoy, President of #BHP Escondida noted: “Having the 4800XPC shovel in our fleet of equipment is a great contribution to advancing the operational challenges we have in Escondida. We are very happy that the shovel with the greatest capacity has arrived at the main copper producer in the world. I want to congratulate all the teams involved in the assembly and delivery of this shovel, which was achieved without safety incidents and in less time compared to the other two teams on the market.” “For Komatsu, the start of operations of the 4800XPC shovel strengthens a relationship that we have had with BHP for decades. In this sense, being able to introduce this model in the industry serves to continue promoting mining in Chile. With this, our intention is to create value together so that both companies continue to position themselves as a reference in mining innovations worldwide,” commented Carlos Soto Helo, Executive Vice President of Grupo Komatsu Cummins Chile. Among its main features, the incorporation of new technologies that allow greater excavation power without reducing the useful life of the equipment, lower loads due to impact or improper operation, improved payload and excavation performance through control and application stand out as does its ‘intelligent’ power usage and in addition less operator fatigue due to the reduction of swinging movements (#boomjacking). The delivery of this new shovel is a significant advance in the national industry, since it is the first time that a copper mine in the world will use equipment of these characteristics. South Africa received the second 4800XPC shovel from Komatsu, where it went into operation in demanding conditions, high hardness and abrasiveness in Anglo American’s #Mogalakewna platinum mine earlier this year. The first unit was put into operation at Teck Resources Limited's Fording River coal mine in 2019 in Canada. #futureofmining #mineofthefuture #theelectricmine #electricmine25 Komatsu Mining

Doppelmayr and Master Drilling to cooperate on underground mine transport tech Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH, based in #Wolfurt, Austria has announced a cooperation with raise boring specialist Master Drilling Group Ltd, headquartered in #Fochville, #SouthAfrica. #Doppelmayr did not detail the nature of the tie-up but told International Mining that the main reason for the cooperation was that both companies “see potential in joining their expertise, in order to contribute to new material transport opportunities for the clients’ benefit.” One aspect of the cooperation relates to Doppelmayr’s #vertical #materialtransport system, Vertical #RopeCon®, which the Austrian company says opens up new material transport opportunities for underground mining and which has been referenced in the cooperation announcements. Doppelmayr says of the technology: “Underground mining makes high demands on material transport, such as limited space as well as the necessity to avoid exhaust emissions and heat development, to name only some. The Doppelmayr Vertical RopeCon® gives the chance to reduce the haul truck fleet and the exhaust emissions.” The novel concept adapts the proven RopeCon® system to the specific requirements of an underground application. In the loading station, the wheel sets run on guiding rails, which safely guide the belt into the shaft. Ropes in the shaft guide the belt at all times. Doppelmayr says maintenance is simple and cost effective, as all moving parts are mounted to the belt and will pass the terminals at regular intervals. Ropes and shaft can be inspected either using an inspection vehicle or by technical devices. Access to the shaft is not required. In addition, re-use of existing #ventilationshafts is possible. As the main drive is installed above ground, underground heat development is reduced. #futureofmining #materialshandling #materialhandling

Komatsu’s underground battery electric program – robust and simple Earlier this year, International Mining Editorial Director Paul Moore was able to see the Komatsu Mining #WX04B #batteryelectric #LHD in action as part of a sneak preview at a #Komatsu customer event at its test mine, which is located at the University of Arizona’s #SanXavier Mining Laboratory near #Tucson, Arizona. Doug Eamer, Komatsu Senior VP of #HardRockMining: “This is our first battery electric LHD and features our dynamic #batteryswap system. You have your battery pod at the rear – it is an #ESS or #EnergyStorageSystem. When I say the swapping is dynamic, the vehicle has onboard power to be able to offload the depleted battery and pick up a charged battery. It is a patented ground level system – which is allowed for in the shape & design of the ESS body and the departure angle from the #LHD.” Competitor battery swap systems are vertical lifts, and use electro-hydraulic cylinders to support the battery and/or require the battery to be deposited into a dedicated tray or flat concrete pad. Eamer states: “With our design, the battery can be unloaded onto uneven ground, even on a negative grade off-set from where the machine chassis is and even where there are some loose rocks – our system still allows the pod to be picked up, pulled on and locked into position.” The WX04B went through months of testing earlier this year. The proof of concept machine is significant because it forms the basis for all of Komatsu’s planned larger LHDs moving forward – the next iteration of which will be a 7 t LHD set to be launched in 2025/2026. That machine will also have ground level battery swap like the WX04B plus it will have an on-board tramming battery pack. In addition to the 7 t machine, Komatsu has plans to introduce larger battery electric LHDs in the future. The company is also continuing the development of hybrid LHDs to offer customers who want that flexibility before going to full battery. Komatsu will also look at introducing battery electric models for its underground trucks. In addition, with the recent GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH acquisition, there will be synergies with some of its models and designs as well. These design attributes are intended to keep it as simple as possible to make the machines as flexible as possible across all types of hard rock mines including small & mid-tier operations including narrow vein sites. And the ground level system means swapping batteries can be done in most parts of the mine – it doesn’t need a dedicated and purpose-built swapping area. Eamer: “We went through many iterations of our battery LHD design & the feedback from early BEV adopter customers was always – we want robust and simple, so that is what we have done.” In addition, competitor batteries need auxiliary cooling for thermal management – the Komatsu battery #thermalmanagement system is integrated into the ESS so that auxiliary cooling is not needed. #theelectricmine #futureofmining

Gold Fields looks to diesel-electric underground fleet options until BEV maturity There were some interesting insights into GOLD FIELDS' zero emissions underground mining fleet strategy in its #ClimateChange Report 2023 that has just been published. The #diesel equipment used in its mines – particularly its vehicle fleet – contribute approximately one-third of the group’s Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions. To address this, #GoldFields initiated several programmes to decarbonise movement of mining material & waste. Its 2030 target is to reduce diesel usage at its mines by about 20%. Gold Fields: "Most prominently, we initiated trials of #batteryelectric vehicles at various sites in partnership with OEMs. These trials aim not only to reduce emissions but also enhance productivity, decrease operating costs, improve vehicle safety & reduce DPM." It says these trials thus far have yielded valuable insights. During 2023, it completed trials of four different #BEVs at St Ives – loaders, #LHDs & tool carriers – but says these demonstrated "limited #decarbonisation benefits with variable production performances." Similarly, trials involving light vehicles and haul trucks at #GrannySmith & #Agnew helped the miner further develop its understanding of the operational capabilities & potential decarbonisation benefits of BEVs. Gold Fields indicate that it is not all plain sailing in #BEV introduction as things stand today, from its viewpoint anyway. "The trials indicated that current BEV prototypes are not as technologically advanced as required, resulting in lower availability levels, frequent #batterychanges or charges & lower productivity compared with diesel vehicles. Due to the novelty of BEV technology, we also face challenges relating to longer repair times & increased frequency of repairs." Trials of BEVs were also not successful at deep underground levels at #SouthDeep but it did observe that underground BEVs could make a material difference when combined with potential energy savings derived from reduced #ventilation. Gold Fields says it plans to continue deploying & trialling reduced and zero-emission vehicles, including #dieselelectric LHDs, e-drive diesel-electric trucks, battery electric light vehicles & further ancillary trials with OEMs and partners. For example, it is partnering with Epiroc to develop the next generation of electric drive #hybrid underground mine trucks, with a prototype scheduled for testing in 2024. Gold Fields is also already trialling the diesel-electric R2900 XE from Caterpillar Inc. It adds: "Many of the BEVs required for mine production will only reach maturity stage by 2025 at the earliest & to achieve the benefits of these technologies, full digital infrastructure will have to be developed at our mines. Hybrid diesel-electric vehicles may serve as a short-term solution until suitable zero-emissions alternatives become more mature & cost-effective." #futureofmining #hybridsinmining #theelectricmine #electricmine24