Normet SmartDrive Charmec passes three month trial with Barminco at IGO’s Nova mine in Western Australia

Posted by Paul Moore on 8th July 2021

Global underground contract mining major Barminco and mining company IGO Ltd have recently finished a three-month trial of Normet Group’s SmartDrive MC 605 VE Charmec BEV emulsion charging machine at IGO Ltd’s Nova nickel-copper-cobalt mine in Western Australia. Feedback on this new technology has been positive, with operators and maintenance “all agreeing that the driving is comfortable, smooth, and controlled, allowing tramming speeds to remain consistent up and down the declines.”

Barminco commented: “The trial was completed successfully, showcasing how underground equipment no longer needs to be slow, or emitting harmful diesel particulates. This battery electric driven system proved to handle Australian mining conditions, contrasting operating styles, varying tramming lengths, diverse changes to incline and decline and temperatures. The machine was utilised as expected, charging on day and night shifts, allowing Normet technicians a chance to monitor the technology in a real-life scenario and evaluate any potential problem areas.”

Barminco and IGO are both a part of the Electric Mine Consortium and this is one of many trials they are undertaking to advance electrification and sustainability underground with the partners adding that they are excited to be utilising new technologies across their sites.

Normet SmartDrive battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture includes the latest Li-ion battery technology with a fast charging capability. High-torque electric motors provide instant torque and efficient operation without any local emissions. The fully reversible 4WD ensures safe and sure movement in difficult underground conditions. Built-in energy recuperation technology maximizes the storing of regenerative braking energy during downhill driving and deacceleration. In addition, efficient hydraulic dual-circuit oil immersed brakes provide additional braking power when it is needed.

Normet SmartDrive equipment’s batteries can be charged at any time from typical underground AC-sockets. For demanding operations, optional fast-chargers can charge batteries quickly during operation or a break – there is no need for costly battery swapping. Normet equipment are fully compatible with the universal CCS fast charging standard.