Tag Archives: Kate Bills

Sandvik LH518B set for H2 trials at Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine

Agnico Eagle is to explore the benefits of battery-electric underground technology after receiving a Sandvik LH518B underground loader at its Fosterville gold mine, in Victoria, Australia, to be tested in the second half of 2022.

The Fosterville operation, 20 km from Bendigo, will become the first mine on Australia’s East Coast and only the second in the country to take delivery of the new Sandvik loader (the first being Gold Fields’ St Ives operation in Western Australia). Featuring advanced lithium-iron phosphate-based battery technology, the LH518B produces zero underground exhaust emissions and emits significantly less heat than its diesel counterparts.

Rob McLean, who was Fosterville’s Chief Mining Engineer at the time, announced plans for the operation to trial the Sandvik LH518B at the IMARC Online event in November 2020. He said the trial – originally slated for 2021 – was part of the company’s vision to “have a fully electric mine”, with the immediate goals being to remove diesel emissions and reduce heat at the operation.

After the new machine arrived on site, Fosterville Gold Mine’s General Manager, Lance Faulkner, said: “As a company, we’re committed to exploring new technologies to further enhance our extensive health and safety programs and to fully integrate sustainability into everything we do. And so, we’re delighted to be putting the LH518B into service at Fosterville. We’re interested to see just what kind of difference it can make in terms of efficiency and the underground working environment, and we look forward to working closely with Sandvik.”

Featuring a 600 kW drivetrain, the Sandvik LH518B allows for higher acceleration than conventional loaders as well as fast ramp speeds, resulting in short cycle times, Sandvik says. Courtesy of its space-efficient battery system and driveline, it is the most compact 18-t loader on the market, capable of fitting in a 4.5 x 4.5 m tunnel, the company claims.

Andrew Dawson, Sandvik Business Line Manager for Load & Haul, says that with the advantages Sandvik battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) bring in terms of safety, efficiency and sustainability, it’s no surprise they are gaining popularity among underground operators.

“By trialling the Sandvik LH518B, Agnico Eagle is putting itself at the forefront of this emerging technology and showing its environmental credentials,” he says. “Not only does the loader produce no underground emissions and significantly reduced heat, but it also delivers new levels of productivity. It all makes for a safer, more comfortable, more controlled underground environment.

Fosterville’s Faulkner says another attractive feature of the Sandvik LH518B is the ability to quickly and simply swap out the battery cage. Sandvik’s AutoSwap technology allows for a depleted battery to be offloaded and a fully charged one loaded in as little as six minutes, with no need for lifting infrastructure.

“It’s crucial that new technologies are sustainable and safe, but also that they contribute to the efficiency and smooth running of our mining operation,” he said. “From what we have heard about the new Sandvik loader, it will deliver on all three fronts.”

Kate Bills, Sandvik Australia General Manager – Sustainability, says the LH518B is a reflection of Sandvik’s determination to lead the market for safe, productive and climate-efficient mining equipment.

“Sandvik is putting its money where its mouth is by investing in battery electric vehicles and other technologies that are helping customers achieve their sustainability goals,” she says. “Customers both globally and in Australia are increasingly looking for these kinds of solutions and we are proud to be providing them.”

Sandvik ‘streamlines’ logistics process in Western Australia

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions looks set to provide Australian customers with a more efficient service after announcing the establishment of a new “state-of-the-art warehouse” in Perth, Western Australia.

The long-term lease for the purpose-built warehouse will help consolidate Sandvik’s Perth operations, with the new facility, to be completed in September, located at Roe Highway Logistics park, alongside a purpose-built workshop that is set to become fully operational early next  year.

Relocating both warehousing and workshop operations to Roe Highway Logistics Park will streamline Sandvik’s logistics process and allow it to better service Western Australia customers, the company said.

The warehouse will span 10,500 sq.m with an additional 3,500 sq.m of covered outdoor storage, supporting all-weather operations and better product protection.

According to Niels Reuvers, Sandvik Logistics Operations Manager in APAC, the purpose-built design of the new warehouse will result in numerous operational efficiencies, as well as an opportunity to further sustainability initiatives and ensure ongoing compliance with recently obtained Australian Trusted Trader accreditation.

“We are aiming to streamline our operations through just-in-time delivery, faster in-bound processing and a higher level of dispatch accuracy due to warehouse automation,” Reuvers said. “In addition, we are introducing new battery technology for the site and our materials handling system to make better use of the solar power we will be generating.”

Proximity to Perth Airport and transport providers, along with access to major arterial roads and proximity to customers, are among the factors that have attracted Sandvik to the Roe Highway Logistics Park.

Kate Bills, Sustainable Business, Marketing & Communications Manager at Sandvik in APAC, says Sandvik is committed to working towards achieving its long-term sustainability goals for 2030, with the purpose-built warehouse incorporating numerous sustainability features.

“We’re aiming to halve our C02 footprint by 2030, so the new warehouse incorporates state-of-the-art design elements to help us achieve this such as solar panels, green concrete and the use of low carbon building materials,” she said.

The site will also include best practice water management, energy efficient lighting, natural ventilation, and rainwater harvesting.

“For Sandvik, as an engineering company with a strong base in research and development, sustainability is a major business opportunity,” Bills said. “When we develop more efficient, safer, and more environmentally sound solutions, we take an important step alongside our customers and suppliers towards a more sustainable future.”

She added: “We’re excited to position ourselves at the Roe Highway Logistics Park, which will achieve carbon neutrality on development, making it Perth’s leading sustainable industrial estate.”

Sandvik starts construction of new purpose-built workshop in Western Australia

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology says it has signalled its ongoing commitment to the Australia mining and construction equipment market, signing a long-term lease for a new purpose-built workshop in Perth, Western Australia.

Construction is underway with the workshop scheduled for completion in 2021.

Located at Roe Highway Logistics Park (Kenwick, Perth), the 16,000 sq.m site will include a state-of-the-art workshop, modern office, meeting facilities, as well as testing and training equipment, Sandvik said.

According to Nathan Cunningham, Sandvik Business Line Manager – Service in APAC, Roe Highway represents a strategically important location to be able to better support Sandvik’s Australia customers.

“The strategic location of our new workshop, with its central position, freight rail and RAV7 truck access will enable us to further support our Western Australian customers and the purpose-build design will improve equipment repairs, inspections and our rebuild capability for our equipment offering,” he said. “The improved layout, increased size, additional bays and design will enable our fully-trained service technicians, aftermarket support and technology specialists the ability to work more efficiently.”

He added: “To continue to support our customers, we need to continue to invest in facilities that will not only support our existing markets, but will also have the capacity and capability to support the growing demand for future products, such as our electric load and haul offering.”

The new workshop will be fully accredited and work to OEM standards, according to the company, allowing Sandvik to provide full warranties on the machines it strips down and rebuilds.

Kate Bills, Sustainability, Marketing & Communications Manager at Sandvik in APAC, says the purpose-built facility has been designed to align with Sandvik’s 2030 Sustainable Business goals, which address a circular society, climate change, safety and fair play.

“At Sandvik, we want to ensure that sustainability is integrated into everything we do,” she said. “This includes reducing our CO2 footprint, minimising waste in our production process and providing the highest safety standards for our employees.

“As part of Sandvik’s sustainability goals, we’re aiming to halve our C02 footprint by 2030, so the new workshop incorporates state-of-the-art design elements to help us achieve this such as solar panels, green concrete and the use of low carbon building materials.”

The site will also include best-practice water management, energy efficient lighting, natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting, according to the company.