Tag Archives: battery-electric machines

Aramine equips miniLoader L140B with battery change-out system

Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, , , , , ,

Aramine has looked to extend the continuous working time of its battery-powered miniLoader® L140B by providing a system that, it says, will “totally change the way you can use a battery machine underground”.

The standard L140B, launched in 2017, offers four hours of continuous operation. This allows for the mucking of three to four faces in one shift with a simple charging system integrated into the machine and requiring a plug to the wall, according to the company. This does not need big a electrical installation, with the power required only being about 7 kW, compared with the 45 kW typically needed for an electric machine with cable.

Now, the company has looked to offer its customers another battery change-out option.

The new optional QRS features a quick disconnect battery module, Aramine said. This feature, which has been added without increasing the length of the machine, allows the machine to run full time without being immobilised during charging, according to the company. “The system is ultra fast and smart with a W type aligning system and an auto locking device,” Aramine said.

There is a lever with a lock on the system that ensures optimal safety of the battery pack, the company added.

Aramine said its R&D department has worked hard on reorganising the components inside the machine and selecting an extremely reliable and safe connecting system with maximum power in order to retain the force of the miniLoader.

“The R&D department has also run a lot of tests to find the good angle of adherence in the W type system and find a faultless self-aligning mechanism,” the company said.

In order to benefit from the QRS features, a mine will require a battery change area with crane to change out the battery safely and easily. But, with these elements in place, the battery replacement process can take around 10 to 15 minutes, according to Aramine.

With the QRS machine, the operator can have only one machine in operation in the mine, whereas with the fix frame version of the miniLoader, the customer requires two machines for the same productivity (one charging while the other is working), Aramine said.

These new features are not only available on new machines, according to Aramine. All operating miniLoader L140Bs with a fixed frame can be converted with this new QRS system thanks to an after-market kit.

The company will showcase a battery-powered miniLoader L140B, with 1.3 t capacity, equipped with optional QRS at the Bauma fair, in Munich, Germany, from April 8-14.

Artisan Vehicles reflects on its mission to ‘make vehicles that change the world’

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

California-based Artisan Vehicles has confirmed a statement from Sandvik that it is to be taken over by the Finland-based company and has now explained why it feels the partnership will set a new course for the mining industry.

“In Artisan’s main conference room, there is a simple, but powerful message displayed prominently in the centre of the main presentation wall. Cut through a half inch thick aluminium plate are the words “Our Mission: To Make Vehicles That Change The World”, Artisan said.

“When we started in 2010, we were focused on commercial trucks. But in that same year, Artisan was approached by an innovative mining company that needed help with a big business problem. That problem was getting to a deeper and very rich orebody using an existing underground mine site. Their plan was to access this orebody without spending the huge sums spent by everyone else (more than $100 million) in customary ventilation infrastructure.

“Our solution was to eliminate diesel fumes with zero emission battery-powered loaders and haul trucks.”

Mike Kasaba, Artisan CEO, reflected: “The business case was so compelling that I quickly realised that this was the way for Artisan to achieve its mission.

“Not only did this mean a cleaner environment for underground workers, but also lower costs and a better return on investment for our customers. It was truly a rare opportunity to transform an industry with a cleaner, more powerful alternative to diesel while also saving money by lowering overall costs.”

Fast forward eight years, Artisan has installed its technology in underground mining vehicles that are now deployed in several countries around the world. Some fleets have been in operation for more than five years, making Artisan the most experienced mining OEM using battery-electric technology, Artisan said.

“Now Artisan is taking a giant leap forward in its mission to change the world.”

Kasaba said: “In picking a partner, our criteria is simple.

“We want a partner that has set the standard of today so that together we can set the standard for tomorrow. I am absolutely certain that we have selected the right partner.”

Brian Huff, Artisan’s Chief Technology Officer, added: “With our technology and Sandvik’s experience and worldwide reach, I know we are going to change the world. Sandvik’s expertise in machine design, coupled with our expertise in electric powertrains and battery technology, will set a new course for the global mining industry.”

Artisan calls itself an original equipment manufacturer of zero-emission, battery-powered mining vehicles.

“Artisan’s underground mining loaders and haul trucks are designed from the ground up to include the best thinking in vehicle engineering and to maximise the performance of its high-powered, highly-reliable, field-proven battery-electric powertrains.”

Sandvik ups battery-electric machine capacity with Artisan Vehicles buy

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Power supply for mines, , , , , , , , , , ,

Sandvik has acquired privately-owned Artisan Vehicle Systems as it looks to capture more market share in the fast-moving battery-electric mining equipment space.

Based in Camarillo, California, US, Artisan is a manufacturer of battery-powered underground mining equipment. It has three commercially-available machines: a 4-t capacity LHD (A4, pictured), 10-t capacity LHD (A10) and a 40-t capacity haul truck (Z40).

The core technology behind Artisan’s offering is battery packs, electric motors, power electronics, software and control systems, according to Sandvik. “Artisan’s underground mining loaders and trucks are designed with these high-powered, highly reliable and field proven battery electric powertrains,” the company said, adding that Artisan is the market leader with most battery-electric vehicles currently operating in underground mining.

Lars Engström, President, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, said: “I am pleased to see the strategic acquisition of Artisan so soon after the opening of Sandvik’s state-of-the-art battery electrification innovation and development centre in Turku, Finland, in 2018. It is in line with our ambition to be leading in the market for battery-electric vehicle solutions.”

Artisan will be a business unit in the Load and Haul Division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, the company said.

Mats Eriksson, President Load and Haul Division, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, said: “The area in which Artisan is located is a frontrunner in electric vehicle development. Our new R&D foothold there will complement the skillset we have in Finland. The combination of knowhow and skills creates a very strong platform.”

Prior to this acquisition, Sandvik had just one battery-powered underground machine, it’s DD422iE jumbo drill.

Artisan is a start-up company which, in 2017, had revenues of $12.3 million and approximately 60 employees.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price, but the transaction is expected to close during the March quarter. The deal is initially neutral to earnings per share, Sandvik said.

Kirkland Lake Gold’s Macassa mine on the charge with battery-electric machines

Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

The use of battery-electric equipment at Kirkland Lake Gold’s Macassa operation in Ontario, Canada, is on the rise, according to the latest investor presentation from the gold mining company.

Macassa now has two of Artisan Vehicles’ battery powered Z40 trucks (pictured) working at the gold mine, in addition to 22 battery-powered LHDs provided by companies including Epiroc and Artisan, the company said this week.

This is part of a mining fleet that also includes six 20 ton (18 t) haul trucks and two production drills.

In addition to this, the gold mining company has been using at least one Artisan A4 LHD at its Taylor operation, also in Ontario.

Macassa, one of the company’s gold-production engines, is expected to have produced 220,000-225,000 oz of gold in 2018, but a future mine expansion could lead to annual output rising to 400,000 oz in 2022.

The company uses a combination of underhand cut and fill (~65%), sub-level long hole stoping (~25%) and overhand cut and fill (~10%) to mine the orebody at Macassa.

You can learn more about the battery-electric fleet being used at the Macassa operation at The Electric Mine event in Toronto, taking place on April 4-5. Andrew Schinkel, Senior Electrical Engineer at the Macassa Mine Complex, will present ‘Powering up Macassa: operating a major battery-electric fleet at a deep underground mine’ at the event. For more information, please click here.