Tag Archives: L140B

Aramine intent on ‘rapidly expanding’ battery-electric machine offering

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, , , , ,

Aramine showcased its expertise in battery-powered mining machines, enabling mining operations with low CO2 emissions while ensuring maximum productivity this week at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas.

The French manufacturer released its first battery-powered machine back in 2016: the L140B miniLoader. At the time, with more than a decade of experience in manufacturing underground mining machines, “we started from scratch; we didn’t electrify a diesel machine, we designed battery-powered machines,” explains Marc Melkonian, Co-President – Equipment Division.

Now, with more than 50 L140B loaders in operation worldwide, and over 200.000 operating hours, the initial objectives have been achieved, with a machine offering numerous advantages:

  • Reduced CO2 and Nox emissions;
  • No need to transport fuel underground;
  • Reduced ambient temperature and noise in the mine, improving working conditions for operators;
  • Lower mine operating costs; and
  • Guaranteed maximum productivity

Recently, Aramine has released its latest battery-powered machine: the L440B Loader. It is the logical continuation of its precursor: the same technologies but for new challenge – a more efficient, more powerful and more intuitive machine. The machine has a 4.6 t tramming capacity, more than 3.5 times greater than the L140B (1.3 t), and soon a 5-t payload version will follow.

Both machines have a number of innovations in common to offer cutting-edge equipment, Aramine says:

  • Innovation #1: Unlimited autonomy: Aramine offers a unique “plug and charge” solution: its “quick replacement system”. The energy module at the rear of the machine, housing the batteries and the charger, can be “hot-swapped” in less than 10 minutes. Filling the battery is now quicker than filling the fuel tank. A machine equipped with two energy modules can be operated without interruption;
  • Innovation #2: Low maintenance and high reliability: The energy module is a dual technology. Each energy module includes two completely autonomous battery packs with their own battery cells, electronic system and chargers. The machine continues to
    operate even if one of the battery packs fails;
  • Innovation #3: A single pedal for total control Aramine’s unique operating mode uses a single pedal to control speed and braking. This has two major benefits: no friction or wear on parts to stop the machine, and high regeneration during braking phase;
  • Innovation #4: Industry 4.0 ready: The software on Aramine’s battery machines complies with the requirements of Industry 4.0 and
    provides all the information needed for optimised operation, the company says. “All data can be consulted in real time on the machine screen or on a remote tablet to optimize functions, improving productivity and reducing machine fatigue,” Marc Melkonian says; and
  • Innovation #5: The multi energy supply kit: True to its CSR commitments, Aramine offers to give a second life to the batteries in its machines. At any time, thanks to the “Multi Energy Supply kit”, the batteries can be used to supply an office or any other facility. At the end of their original useful life in the mine, these batteries are still powerful enough to power homes and offices in 220 v (50 Hz) or 110 v (60 Hz) for basic electricity needs: lighting, heating, etc. Coupled with solar panels, batteries can operate autonomously in isolated locations.

Marc Melkonian added: “Our engineers are CSR-minded, always looking ahead to the mining machines of tomorrow. Naturally, we intend to rapidly expand our range of battery-powered machines.”

ARMZ, Aramine partnership brings battery-powered narrow vein LHD to Russia

Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , ,

ARMZ Mining Machinery says it has become the first and only company in Russia and the CIS producing lithium-ion battery-powered mining equipment through a collaboration with Aramine.

The company, part of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co, has started producing the mining equipment in Krasnokamensk, in the Trans-Baikal Territory of Russia, at the site of Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union (PIMCU, PJSC is a part of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co).

The project is being implemented under an industrial partnership agreement ARMZ Uranium Holding Co and France-based Aramine, signed in April 2019. As part of this pact, ARMZ Mining Machinery is the project operator.

ARMZ said the production from Krasnokamensk will cover the internal needs of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corp (of which ARMZ is a part of), and let the company enter foreign markets with competitive products.

The ARGO LHD 140B is designed specifically for underground work in narrow-vein deposits, according to ARMZ. Based off the design of the Aramine miniLoader L140B, it has a width of 1.1 m and a bucket carrying capacity of 1.3 t. A 50 kW engine and a lithium-ion battery pack provide high mobility and continuous operation for up to four hours; at the same time, offering low noise, minimal heat transfer and no gas contamination in the mine. The machine significantly outperforms the requirements of the Russian standards in industrial safety, according to ARMZ.

Ivan Kiselev, Director General of PIMCU, PJSC, said: “New LHD machines will let us efficiently and reliably carry out operations for the loading and transportation of ore inside the stopes. The transition to a new battery-powered narrow-vein equipment is an economically viable solution aimed at reducing operating costs and improving the quality of ore mining.”

Igor Semenov, Executive Director of ARMZ Mining Machinery, said the production of the ARGO LHD 140B means ARMZ Mining Machinery has become the first and only company in Russia and the CIS producing lithium-ion battery-powered mining equipment.

He explained: “We adapted the Aramine design and specifications to Russia standards, organised the technological process: in-house production of the structural frame, arms and dippers, assembly of body parts, installation of components, start-up and commissioning of machines. Our next step will be the localisation of the production of lithium-ion batteries and the expansion of the product line with other types of underground equipment.”

The first serial vehicles have already passed factory tests, according to ARMZ, and will be sent to the uranium mines of PIMCU, PJSC this month. In 2021, the ARGO LHD 140B will enter the Russia market and will then gradually become available in other countries within the customs union, it said.

Aramine and ARMZ sign agreement for L140B battery-powered miniLoader

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Power supply for mines, , , , , , ,

Underground vehicle specialist Aramine says it has signed a partnership agreement with Russia uranium producer, ARMZ, for the assembly of its L140B battery-powered miniLoader.

The pact was signed by ARMZ Uranium Holdings’ Director General, Vladimir Verkhovtsev, and Aramine Presidents, Marc Melkonian and Christophe Melkonian, during the 23rd International Mining World Russia Exhibition, in Moscow.

“Production of Aramine battery loaders will improve the working conditions of the miners, increase the level of safety and, of course, increase the volume of ore mining,” Verkhovtsev said.

Just a few months ago, Aramine looked to extend the continuous working time of its battery-powered miniLoader L140B by providing a battery change-out option.

This miniLoader L140B, launched in 2017, is an optimised and advanced version of the L120B, carrying more capacity – 1.3 t. While the company’s new option allows the machine to run full time without being immobilised during charging, the standard L140B 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.

The miniLoader does not require massive electrical installation, with the power required only being about 7 kW, compared with the 45 kW typically needed for an electric machine with cable, the company said.

ARMZ recently announced plans to reduce the level of risk both underground and above-ground at its industrial complexes, with Verkhovtsev saying the company was looking at, among other things, automation and implementation of the most modern technologies at its operations.

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.