Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia, one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines, recently received its first battery-powered mining vehicle for trials – a significant milestone for the underground operation and a testament to the successful collaboration of multiple teams.
The machine is a Normet Utimec MF100 Material SD where SD stands for SmartDrive – Normet’s modular Li-ion battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture designed to optimise energy consumption and performance in underground mining and tunnelling applications.
IM understands that the machine is fully owned by Oyu Tolgoi and is just the first of several equipment types to be trialled at the mine, including prime movers such as LHDs but also drill rigs and bolters. The Utimec machine will start operation in the coming months after workforce training and establishment of charging infrastructure, which is in progress.
Normet says the model is designed for bulk material transportation in underground mines and tunnels. It has a 10 t payload capacity and two different platform versions with the one at Oyu Tolgoi equipped with a crane for loading and unloading. It has a fast charging capability, and two high-torque direct drive electric motors, which provide instant torque and efficient operation without any local emissions. Energy recuperation technology comes as a standard feature. Batteries are charged during downhill driving and deacceleration which further increases total efficiency of the operation.
The maximum speed is 20 km/h, and a fully reversible 4WD with high traction capability and instant torque ensures safe and sure movement in difficult ground conditions. The majority of the braking is done via electric motors recuperating energy, but the vehicle also includes efficient hydraulic dual-circuit oil immersed multi-disc brakes to provide additional braking power when it is needed. The vehicle has a front axle suspension system, which improves safety, driving comfort and increases component lifetime.
In terms of the bigger picture at Oyu Tolgoi, at the end of the December 2022 quarter, a total of 19 drawbells had been fired. Drawbell progression accelerated as a result of improvement initiatives implemented by the Oyu Tolgoi teams, bringing projected first sustainable production from Panel 0 forward to the first quarter of 2023 (previously first half of 2023). At the end of December, shafts 3 and 4 sinking reached 378 m and 507 m below ground level, respectively. Final depths required for shafts 3 and 4 are 1,148 and 1,149 m. Construction of conveyor to surface works continued during the quarter with civil scope of works completed and other contractors mobilised to site. Study work for Panels 1 and 2 (which are required to support the ramp-up to 95,000 t of ore per day) remains on track to be completed in the first half of 2023.
Rio Tinto now has a 66% interest in Oyu Tolgoi LLC, the mine operating company, following its successful completion of the acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd; with the Government of Mongolia retaining 34%. This is allowing Rio Tinto to focus fully on strengthening its relationship with the Government of Mongolia and it says is moving the project forward with a simpler and more efficient ownership and governance structure.