Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Holcim Switzerland have entered a collaboration to jointly test and further develop the use of autonomous electric & cabless haulers in a limestone quarry. Holcim’s Gabenchopf quarry in Siggenthal has been chosen as the site for this project. The statement said the battery-electric haulers currently being tested mark a groundbreaking step in the industry: “not only are they quieter and more sustainable than conventional haulers, they are also safer – in fact, they are the world’s first commercially available CE-certified electric, autonomous transport solution for the quarry and cement industries.”
“This project show-cases a sustainable transport solution that is commercially viable and combines the technology shifts of connectivity, automation and electrification,” says Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions. “Through a strong partnership with Holcim Switzerland this will happen in a real environment driven by two committed companies dedicated to jointly presenting the future.”
Volvo Automous Solutions has to date developed the 15 t TA15 – part of its TARA autonomous transport solution, which in turn was based on the former HX02 concept vehicle that was designed for the Electric Site project at Skanska’s Vikan Kross quarry, near Gothenburg. The TA15 in adapted form has been trialled by Harsco Environmental as a slag carrier at the Ovako Steelworks in Hofors in Sweden, but this project with Holcim marks the first major foray for the innovative autonomous, electric and cabless design into the mining and quarrying sector.
“We are delighted to partner with Volvo on this project,” says Simon Kronenberg, CEO of Holcim Switzerland and Italy. “Our participation in this project represents another step towards fulfilling our sustainability objectives: we seek solutions that are both innovative and environmentally responsible and we are constantly investing in measures to reduce our ecological footprint in order to help build a sustainable future.”
For Holcim, logistics plays a major role in the world-wide efforts to reduce the impact on climate: “Here, we as a company can contribute already today while we continue to work on the development of CO2-reduced technologies and products.” Related, and equally important, is the issue of renewable energy: Holcim has been using 100% renewable electrical energy at all sites since 2019 and makes a point of using only green energy for electrically powered vehicles such as the electric concrete truck mixers that are already in use.
The testing and likely deployment of electric haulers in its quarry is part of Holcim’s digitisation initiative ‘Plants of Tomorrow.’ As part of the initiative, Holcim is testing automation technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence throughout the entire production process in order to develop innovative solutions for a safer, more efficient and more sustainable cement production.
“Volvo’s ambition is nothing less but to bring the future of infrastructure and transport solutions to our customers in a commercially viable way, and this innovative commercial project represents the next phase of this journey,” concludes Jaeger.
