Tag Archives: Max Luedtke

Mine decarbonisation ambitions can be achieved with existing tech, ABB report highlights

Automation, Environmental, Mining events, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , ,

ABB has released a global report, “Mining’s Moment”, that highlights the progress being made by the mining industry to make operations more sustainable, with the standout stat being that 70% of mining leaders are confident decarbonisation goals can be achieved with existing technologies.

Surveying 412 mining leaders and experts across 18 countries, the report showcased notable confidence among business leaders that they will achieve their sustainability targets because the technology to decarbonise exists: 15% are very confident they will hit their 2030 sustainability targets, while 52% are quite confident. This rises to 48% of being very confident when considering 2050 sustainability targets.

Some 77% of mining leaders surveyed see integrated electrification, automation and implementation of digital technologies as the key areas of technology through which sustainability goals can be achieved, ABB says. Ambitious plans are in place to invest in technologies which will make operations more sustainable: 53% are anticipating significant transformation or complete overhaul; 28% are investing in moderate evolution; and 19% are investing in incremental change. This means 81% are looking to evolve or transform their operations to become more sustainable.

This report is the latest installment of ABB’s Real Progress campaign, which aims to showcase the power of technology and expertise to accelerate sustainability while enhancing productivity, the company says.

Mining, in particular, faces a challenging environment, where it must increase production to provide the raw materials for the green energy transition while limiting, and reducing where possible, its environmental impact. The report reveals an industry rising to that challenge: 73% of the industry said they were excited about the opportunities presented by the increasing recognition of mining’s role in supplying resources for green technologies.

“There is real excitement amongst business leaders about the role they are playing in supporting the green energy transition, and they are taking the issue of mining’s impact on our environment seriously,” Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB Process Industries, said. “We see this in the successful roll-out and progress towards sustainability targets, the willingness to invest to reach these goals and the availability of technology that can make real progress, now. However, we must not think it is job done. A significant minority are struggling to meet their goals. Our report outlines three key areas where investment can help mining businesses become more sustainable, step-by-step: investing in their people; investing in technology; and investing in their processes.”

The report finds that by investing in people, technology and processes, mining businesses can continue to make good progress towards their sustainability goals:

  • 71% of respondents said the talent shortage is preventing them from delivering against their production targets and strategic objectives. 70% of respondents said their business is committed to reskilling and training existing employees to support decarbonisation efforts;
  • 70% surveyed said they believe significant decarbonisation can be achieved using existing technologies. Electrification is seen as a major contributor to being able to achieve significant decarbonisation gains; 91% of business leaders said electrification is essential to, or part of, their decarbonisation strategy; and
  • 46% of respondents say the risk to disruption of operations and production is a barrier to introducing new technology, highlighting the need for a new approach to systems and processes. This is backed up by the report respondents, with 73% believing mining transformation requires a new approach to technology and risk management.

ABB joins Euromines’ sustainable mining drive

Automation, Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

ABB says it has joined the European Association of Mining Industries (Euromines), the recognised representative of the European metals and minerals mining industry.

Euromines’ main objectives are to promote responsible industry practices and engage with EU institutions on mining-related policy matters. Euromines also promotes the benefit and value of both the products and the industry to society, which are critical to boosting European competitiveness.

It serves as a cooperative network of members focused on sharing responsible raw material mining practices. It also evaluates the impact of European and international policies and legislation on the industry and defines industry policy positions and actions. It represents large and small companies and subsidiaries in Europe and in other parts of the world.

Euromines has recently launched the Sustainable Mining Initiative in which members share insights on circular economy, nature restoration, decarbonisation and community.

ABB business leaders will contribute to the association’s efforts to improve responsible mining in Europe and provide examples of how innovative technologies for the processing of raw materials have been developed by ABB or in collaboration with customers, ABB says.

Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries, will attend the Euromines Policy Committee. Max Luedtke (pictured), Global Business Line Manager for Mining at ABB, joins the Euromines Sustainability Group while Sylvain Froin, Global Head of Communications and Marketing for Mining at ABB, joins the Euromines Communication Committee.

“Raw materials are essential for industry and critical to Europe’s climate goals and strategic autonomy,” Braun said. “We are pleased to join Euromines and are looking forward to contributing with best practice examples of technologies that drive increasingly sustainable mining activity in Europe and around the world. ABB automation, electrification and digital technologies enable a more sustainable and research-efficient future; we are already helping and collaborating with customers to decarbonise and reduce energy consumption across the mining industry and across all processes from pit to port.”

Euromines provides services to its members with regard to EU policy and serves as a network for cooperation and for the exchange of information throughout the sector within Europe. The association also fosters contacts with the mining community throughout the world. Euromines represents an interface between the European extractive industry and the European authorities and international or intergovernmental bodies and advocates the extractive industry.

ABB launches eMine portfolio with FastCharge and Trolley System highlights

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

ABB’s efforts to accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine have been strengthened with the launch of its ABB Ability™ eMine portfolio of solutions and the unveiling of its eMine FastCharge solution, billed by the company as the world’s fastest and most powerful charging system that is designed to interface with all makes of electric mining haul trucks.

eMine comprises a portfolio of electrification technologies to make the all-electric mine possible from mine to port and is integrated with digital applications and services to monitor and optimise energy usage, ABB says. It can electrify any mining equipment across hoisting, grinding, hauling and material handling.

From 2022, it will include new ABB Ability eMine FastCharge, which provides high-power electric charging for haul trucks and is currently in pilot phase. It also incorporates the ABB Ability eMine Trolley System, which can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, significantly lowering energy costs and environmental impact.

“The global mining industry is undergoing one of the most significant and important transformations of our generation – and that is to become zero-carbon,” Max Luedtke, Global Head of Mining at ABB, says. “ABB Ability eMine is an exciting milestone to help convert existing mining operations from fossil fuel energy to all-electric. Mines can become even more energy efficient with vastly reduced levels of CO₂ emissions, while at the same time staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.”

eMine FastCharge can serve as a cornerstone of the transition to fully electrified mines across the industry, according to ABB.

This flexible and fully automated solution is being designed for the harshest environments, can be installed anywhere and can charge any electric truck without human intervention at up to 600 kW, ABB says.

Charging time will depend on the battery capacity on-board the haul truck and the operational profile, however, in many instances, a suitable state of charge could be reached within 15 minutes, the company claims.

“With eMine, ABB is extending its capabilities to the electrification of mining trucks and technologies for the full mining process,” the company said.

“eMine provides integral design planning and thinking to maximise the value of electrification, helping to design the hauling process in the most optimised way with electrical solutions that match mine constraints and help meet production targets.”

ABB says it helps mine operators map their journey towards an all-electric mine from phasing out diesel to embedding a new mindset and new team skills.

“By fully integrating electrification and digital systems from the mine to the port, eMine further reduces overall costs and improves mine performance while significantly lowering environmental impact.”