Tag Archives: EcoHoist

ABB, EcoHoist to build scale demonstrator of vertical bucket elevator

Environmental, Mine shafts and equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

EcoHoist has signed a Joint Development Agreement with ABB, which outlines how the parties will collaborate on the development of EcoHoist’s low captal expenditure hoisting technology.

The Joint Development Agreement, which builds on an MoU signed earlier this year, focuses on the design and construction of a 30% scale demonstration of the EcoHoist vertical bucket elevator. The agreement manages how intellectual property developed during the project will be handled, and outlines the roles, responsibilities and contributions of the parties.

The EcoHoist aims to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shafts. This reduction in mine shaft size leads to a reduction in capital cost and construction time compared with skip hoist systems, the company says. The EcoHoist operates on electricity and provides the opportunity for mines using conventional diesel-powered load and haul fleets to simultaneously cut production costs and decarbonise, EcoHoist says.

The EcoHoist 30% scale demonstrator will be a full system demonstration of EcoHoist’s vertical bucket elevator, and will have buckets at approximately 30% of the size of those that will eventually be used in the EcoHoist product. The demonstrator will be capable of hoisting
material at a nominal rate of 50 t/h and will be mechanically loaded to represent a hoisting elevation of 300 m, EcoHoist says.

This project aims to demonstrate EcoHoist’s capability in delivering equipment with the necessary availability and reliability required for its use to electrify and decarbonise deep underground mines.

The agreement puts further emphasis on the ambition of ABB and EcoHoist to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shaft, leading to reduced capital cost and construction time compared to skip hoist systems, the companies say.

“The mining industry globally is poised for a sustainability step-change and ABB is excited to work with EcoHoist in support of new technologies in this journey,” Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Hoisting at ABB, said.

Matthew Forrest, Managing Director of EcoHoist, added: “I look forward to continuing to work with Björn, Aaron and other talented people at ABB. ABB’s proven track record delivering electrical drive, automation and safety systems to the resources industry provides strong synergies with EcoHoist.”

EcoHoist and Mining One to collaborate on deployment of low-capex hoisting solution

Environmental, Mine shafts and equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Mining One and EcoHoist have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to, they say, collaborate on the deployment of low-capex hoisting solutions for Mining One’s clients.

The collaboration will combine the EcoHoist vertical material transport solution with Mining One’s technical expertise in underground mining.

Mining One is a leader in the mining industry and is poised to become the first Accredited EcoHoist Consultant, the companies say. The design of a successful EcoHoist project requires consideration of many technical factors, including the shape and size of the orebody, geotechnical conditions, mine and plant layout, as well as practical operational considerations. Mining One’s deep technical expertise and quality experience across these factors position them well to successfully deploy EcoHoist’s low-cost hoisting equipment.

The EcoHoist aims to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shafts. This reduction in mine shaft size leads to a reduction in capital cost and construction time compared with skip hoist systems. The EcoHoist operates on electricity and provides the opportunity for mines using conventional diesel-powered load and haul fleets to simultaneously cut production costs and decarbonise. As mines go deeper underground, and as external pressures to decarbonise mining operations increase, the EcoHoist is a compelling solution.

Gary Davision, Director and Principal Mining Engineer at Mining One, said: “Ensuring safe and efficient haulage underground is becoming increasingly challenging. Our industry must explore lateral thinking approaches that can lead to substantial improvements in haulage efficiency. Mining One is delighted to be involved in the collaboration and validation of EcoHoist’s technology, and we take pride in contributing to the development of the significant advantages it may bring.”

Matthew Forrest, Managing Director of EcoHoist, said: “In order to successfully decarbonise and cut operational costs for our customers, our EcoHoist equipment needs to be seamlessly integrated into our customers’ mines. Working with Mining One gives both us and our customers confidence that this will be achieved.”

ABB and EcoHoist to work on low carbon, low cost vertical material transport solution

Mine shafts and equipment, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

ABB and EcoHoist have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of a vertical material transport solution for underground mines.

The solution combines EcoHoist’s technology with ABB’s technical capability and experience in vertical ore haulage in mining, they say.

The EcoHoist aims to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems, by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shafts. This reduction in mine shaft size leads to a reduction in capital cost and construction time compared with skip hoist systems, the company says. The EcoHoist operates on electricity and provides the opportunity for mines using conventional diesel powered load and haul fleets to simultaneously cut production costs and decarbonise.

“As mines go deeper underground, and as external pressures to decarbonise mining operations increase, the EcoHoist is a compelling solution,” EcoHoist says.

The collaboration will see experts from both companies contributing to solutions for the future of underground ore haulage systems and provides opportunities for further commercial arrangements. This collaboration aims to expedite EcoHoist’s delivery of a subscale demonstration of the technology, by leveraging ABB’s expertise in engineering and hoist safety systems.

ABB has a strong reputation for delivering solutions for the mining industry, with more than 600 active production and service mine hoists within its global installed base, and EcoHoist hopes this collaboration will accelerate the adoption and deployment of the EcoHoist pilot.

Björn Jonsson – Global Business Line Manager for Hoisting at ABB, said: “The mining industry globally is poised for a sustainability step change and ABB is excited to work with EcoHoist in support of new technologies in this journey.”

Aaron Trueman – Australian Business Line Manager for Hoisting at ABB, added: “No matter the mine in Australia, the challenge is how to get ore out of the ground safely and efficiently with high availability in very remote locations. Hoists are a critical mine asset to achieve this, and novel approaches to ore haulage such as EcoHoist are what the industry needs to deliver minerals essential to modern technology.”

Matthew Forrest – Managing Director of EcoHoist, said: “I look forward to continuing to work with Björn, Aaron and other talented people at ABB. ABB’s proven track record delivering electrical drive, automation and safety systems to the resources industry provides strong synergies with EcoHoist.”

Michael Short – Business Development Engineer at EcoHoist, says the EcoHoist offers an opportunity for mining leaders interested in integrating a low-cost solution into their operation.

“We are now in early conversations with interested mining companies for collaboration projects to trial this innovative technology, aiming to increase production rates while reducing both operating costs and carbon footprint.”