Within the framework of its Climate Change Strategy, Antofagasta Minerals will develop the first feasibility study to convert a fleet of mining extraction trucks, which today run on diesel, to electric trucks.
“This initiative joins other studies that we are already conducting to find ways to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our fields. We are sure that, with innovation and working together with universities and technology centers, we will achieve faster progress towards the goal of carbon neutrality, which is our main objective as a group,” indicated Iván Arriagada, Executive President of Antofagasta Minerals.
This technical feasibility study will be developed at copper mine Minera Antucoya in conjunction with the Centre for Sustainable Acceleration of Electromobility (CASE), led by the University of Chile, the Energy Sustainability Agency and the Mario Molina Centre. The research will also include the participation of the Finnish VTT technological research and development centre.
The main objective is to generate a conceptual design for a fleet of battery-powered trucks and charging systems. Thanks to advanced simulation tools, the entire fleet operation will be modeled, estimating energy consumption and the dimensions of the charging systems. Emission reductions and total costs of ownership will also be estimated, which will make it possible to compare the difference in costs between operation with electric and conventional trucks.
“We are extremely pleased to be part of this project that is in line with our Company’s electromobility roadmap, which in turn is part of the Climate Change Strategy defined by Grupo Minero. We are committed to moving mining towards carbon neutrality and this is a new step for this,” said Leonardo González, General Manager of Minera Antucoya.
With the results of the feasibility study, Antofagasta Minerals will evaluate how to continue advancing in the electrification of the company’s first trucks. Additionally, as in several other projects, the mining group has partnered with innovation centres and universities.
“At CASE we are oriented to be a contribution to accelerate the adoption of electromobility in transportation. This alliance with Antofagasta Minerals opens up great opportunities to transform Minera Antucoya’s extraction truck operation. With Research and Development, they could become leaders in employing electrical energy in mining machinery at a global level, ”said Gianni López, CASE’s Project Manager.
