Archives: Sustainable mining

A new thermal battery from 247Solar Inc, a business with origins at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is set to help miners incorporate more renewable energy sources into the power mix at their remote operations. The HeatStorE™ long duration thermal battery operates almost like an electrochemical battery but has significant advantages at longer durations,[…]

Very small modular reactors (vSMRs) could provide clean, economic and reliable power and heat to remote northern mines and surrounding communities in Canada, according to a recent study completed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), and Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation, and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO). The feasibility study, looking into vSMRs ability to[…]

Rio Tinto and Schneider Electric have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a “first-of-its-kind” collaboration to develop a circular and sustainable market ecosystem for both companies and their customers. This multi-product partnership will see Schneider Electric use responsibly-sourced materials produced by Rio Tinto. These include low-carbon aluminium and copper produced with renewable power, iron[…]

Back in March, IM revealed that Chinese mining truck OEM Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Co Ltd (XEMC) had signed a contract with energy company SPIC for conversion of a 108 t class SF31904 AC drive rigid truck to run on all electric lithium battery power in Huolinhe coal mine, Inner Mongolia. The truck has now been[…]

OceanaGold has enlisted the help of independent advisory, design and engineering consultancy Beca to reduce emissions at its Macraes gold mine in Central Otago, New Zealand. Beca developed an Energy Transition Acceleration (ETA) study to provides a pathway to a greener future at the mine, which produced over 172,000 oz/y of gold and employs more[…]

ABB and Hitachi Construction Machinery have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an electric rigid dump truck with a customised on-board energy storage system. Using ABB’s innovative battery technology will enable trucks to transform from diesel to full electric operation. The electric vehicle draws the power needed from overhead catenary while simultaneously charging the on-board[…]

VivoPower International PLC has entered into a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd (Toyota Australia) to create a collaboration program between VivoPower and Toyota Australia for electrification of Toyota Landcruiser vehicles using conversion kits designed and manufactured by VivoPower’s wholly-owned electric vehicle subsidiary, Tembo e-LV BV. The binding LOI sets[…]

Hybrid Systems Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to determine and trial applications of LAVO’s hydrogen energy technology at its Kewdale facilities in Western Australia. Hybrid Systems Australia, a subsidiary of Pacific Energy, specialises in the design, construction and installation of integrated hybrid systems, incorporating the use of solar photovoltaic, battery storage and[…]

Honeywell and Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited have announced Honeywell will provide control, automation and energy optimisation solutions to help Cobalt Blue “streamline” its Broken Hill cobalt project (BHCP) and help to reduce the risk levels involved. BHCP, which covers an area of 63 sq.km in New South Wales, Australia, intends to develop a new, reliable,[…]

As previously reported in IM, Rio Tinto will deploy the world’s first fully autonomous water trucks at its $2.6 billion Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, but the company has now given much more detail on the project. The new vehicles, primarily used for dust suppression on site, will enhance productivity by[…]