Aramine knows that one of the biggest issues in underground mining is the air pollution affecting people’s health. To solve this issue, the French company made the first diesel miniLoader® with an exhaust purifier a few years ago and then an electric machine with cable, which has already helped reduce the mine ventilation problem and reduce costs in comparison to diesel machines. Marc Melkonian, Aramine President, said: “The battery-powered machine was already in our mind but this technology was not enough reliable at the time and very expensive.”

Today, after two years of R&D, Aramine has a reliable and competitive battery product. The machines were tested in customer mines before launching and they are today in operation in different mines. The L140B was entirely developed and designed around a fully integrated battery system. Diesel fuel tank and filters but also hydrostatic transmission and related systems have been eliminated and a full electrical transmission has been integrated. This eases the maintenance burden and considerably reduces the downtimes.

As Aramine battery-powered machines are using an electric transmission, this allows adjusting the torque depending on the mine ground in order to give just enough power and avoid tyres spinning. The L140B has same or even more breakout force than a diesel machine. The autonomy is approximately four hours depending on application and usage, which allows mucking three to four faces in one shift.

The charging system is very simple as the charger is integrated to the machine and a simple plug to the wall is required. The charging system doesn’t need a big electrical installation as the power needed is about 7 kW (in comparison to the 45 kW needed for an electrical machine with cable). An optional version features a quick disconnect battery module in order to replace easily the batteries and run the machine full time.

This new miniLoader^® L140B is an optimised and advanced version of the L120B and can carry more capacity, 1.3 t. That is to say 20% more productivity per shift with the same autonomy and energy consumption. “We really trust this battery powered innovation and customers are already seduced by the L140B proven by our order book,” said Melkonian.