Tag Archives: The Electric Mine 2024

Thiess puts all energy transition options on the table

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A much deeper mobile equipment supply and innovation pool is fast developing and is definitely needed by the global mining industry to help it meet unprecedented energy transition and other production challenges, Shane Clark, Thiess Group Manager, Energy Transition, said at The Electric Mine 2024 this week.

“The Thiess business has more than A$2 billion (US$1.3 billion) worth of mobile assets in the field [including] 3,000 what we call primary assets, which is large equipment over 100 tonnes,” Clark said.

“And it becomes a very big problem as to how we transition. The answer more and more is we just have to have options. We have to connect with early adopters to build out our capability to support that battery electric fleet of tomorrow.

“But more than anything, we just need to get started.”

Clark and other speakers at the major mine electrification event attended by more than 900 people emphasised the vast scale of the diesel fleet renewal hurdle in front of the industry at a time when falling ore grades and deeper mines are increasing energy usage.

Thiess, the world’s largest surface mining contractor, is targeting 25% lower diesel combustion emissions by 2035 and wants 85% of Thiess-operated light vehicles to be battery electric (BE) or hybrid by 2030.

Clark said the pursuit of lofty greenhouse gas emission reduction goals by an earthmoving contractor in the mining sector was “quite a difficult problem” where the service provider wasn’t in the driver’s seat on primary site power supply and distribution, and mine owners equivocated on carbon efficiency.

“The reality is that we can’t [meet our 2035 diesel emission target] without transitioning the entirety of our small fleet, which is 150 t trucks or less, to at least a hybrid solution; we need our current diesel electric fleet to all be converted to BEV by 2035 and we need a large portion of our excavator fleet to at least be hybrid.

“Most of the work has to be done by 2030.”

Clark said smaller, autonomous mobile equipment, advanced software and AI-based production and energy management optimisation, and shifts in traditional thinking about operating processes, all had crucial roles to play in current and future mine planning and execution.

“The best miners in the future are going to be the best optimisers. Who can perform the most holistic optimisations will be the best performers. [That starts with] pit optimisation.

“We need to get capital back from anywhere we can to fund the transition. That includes thinking about assets differently. If we use smaller assets, steeper ramp gradients, vehicle choreography, we can change the pit economics, pull back that budget to fund infrastructure.

“The major barrier to get to full BEV fleets in my mind is less about production requirements, because they can be worked around…Having worked on site for many years I can see how you can make battery electric assets work. It really comes down to the cost of energy and the amount of curtailment we can achieve. Some way, somehow, we need to get energy storage inside the mine gate cheaper.

“Our belief is that means we need to get batteries in applications that make sense now into the field, so they can serve out a second life on the grid.”

Clark said a two-track focus on hydrogen fuel-cell and full BE products from traditional sources was “getting in the way of real progress”.

“The [traditional mining] OEMs have a huge role to play and as a contractor, of course, we will purchase as much of that fleet as possible,” he said. “But as I say, we need to bring down the energy costs inside the mine gate now. I don’t think we can wait for the ramp-up of [new vehicle manufacturing]. There’s obviously other OEMs that are making great strides [and] so far the Eastern part of the world is showing us the way. If you go to most mines inside China you won’t find just diesel fleet. They’re already on the journey. You go to most factories and the majority of the fleet is at least hybrid.

“The full diesel electric fleet is becoming smaller and smaller. There’s obviously a lot of perceived threats with the change. [But] I think if you look at the automaker industry, which is a pretty good thematic for the majority of industry, it makes perfect sense that there are so many players entering the heavy mining machinery market now. We have as many green battery electric options to automakers in China today than we had all automakers in the world just 20 years ago.

“Why? Because obviously with new advances comes new opportunity and everyone wants a stake.If you’re a contractor or a [miner] trying to pick one winner out of hundreds of possible solutions going forward, you are thinking about the problem the wrong way. The energy cost inside the mine gate is the real problem. How do we enable a step change there?”

This story was written by Richard Roberts of InvestMETS, one of The Electric Mine 2024 Supporting Partners

Teck’s fleet decarbonisation ‘teenagers’ taking time to mature

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Canadian miner Teck Resources’ renewable diesel and diesel-hybrid heavy vehicle fuel programs are going to advance the company’s decarbonisation agenda while bolder mobile fleet options maybe take longer than expected to emerge from the “sandbox”, Mobile Fleet Decarbonisation Manager, Peter Wan, said at The Electric Mine 2024 this week.

Wan said at the event being held in Perth, Western Australia, for the first time that battery-electric vehicles and infrastructure, new-generation dynamic charging and other concepts were moving erratically, at times, along recently initiated development curves.

He used an analogy of teenagers moving along the path to adulthood, saying fleet decarbonisation generally was “but a twinkle in our collective eyes a few years ago.”

Now the progeny were “developing in ways we sometimes least expect.”

“The projects that we’ve got, and the technologies that we’re evaluating, cover the full spectrum of TRL [technology readiness levels],” Wan said. “We’ve got these teenagers, and we kind of understand as we bring them into the portfolio [and] do our evaluation…[that] things are changing. They’re changing for sure.

“We started off with trolley [assist] thinking that it was it was going to be fantastic as part of the transition. And we’re learning that, actually, it’s not easy in some of our operations. We’ve got to think about how we manage new risks. And of course, the commercials have got to all stack up.

“It’s one thing to say that we want to implement a battery-electric truck; we’ve got available juice [and] we’ve got all of the ecosystem in place. But it’s got to be cost competitive because at the end of the day we’re not going to put ourselves out of business for a new electric truck. So we’ve got to make sure that we understand all of the relevant metrics, and how we measure and validate them through the development process.”

Wan said change had been a constant in the 12 months since the last Electric Mine forum at Tucson, Arizona, in the US.

Glencore’s $6.9 billion pending acquisition of Teck’s metallurgical coal business – where the company was directing its battery-electric ultra-class truck focus – produced a change of thinking on that front.

“This is the revolution,” is how Wan described the various battery-electric behemoths moving through pilot testing into the field and, ultimately, into production scenarios.

“But it’s going to take a lot of moving parts to make this happen. You’ve got to be in it for the long haul. You’re not going to put this into a mine site that’s got five years of life or 10 years of life. This is something that you’re doing more likely at your Tier One assets. The sites that we have available for field testing have changed. Times change; we have to adjust.”

Wan agreed accelerating the maturation rate of BEVs was linked to market scaling of supporting infrastructure and ecosystem development, and “there’s some chicken and the egg” in that.

“We don’t have the trucks running so how can you test the infrastructure and the ecosystem without the trucks running?” he said. “And once the trucks are available how can you run them without that ecosystem being developed? There’s going to be some leapfrogging, [first] with the trucks that come in…and then the ecosystem. Then we’ll be able to start [operating the trucks] in a more realistic environment. But that’s going to take time.”

Wan warned established and emergent electric trolley-assist systems for haul trucks demanded forensic examination of mine plans and conditions to establish their real potential to prosper in different production scenarios.

“He’s high maintenance,” Wan said of the eldest “teenager” being nurtured by Teck. “That infrastructure is not going to be as easy as you might hope.”

Renewable diesel was “pretty easy.” “It’s laid back,” Wan said. “You can just order it and you’ll get your fuel delivery to site. It’s a short-term transitionary approach for most of us; really supported by government incentives if they’re available in your jurisdiction. Renewable diesel has been a star for us [in British Columbia where] where we’ve got a good understanding of the incentives. They’re attractive for us. We’re not running the renewable down in Chile yet because we don’t have that same cost benefit.”

Also part of Teck’s “bridging strategy” was hybrid diesel, “sort of a late bloomer in our portfolio.”

“We are working towards trials for hybrid,” Wan said. “You’re looking at potentially similar sorts of emission reductions as trolley, minus all of the infrastructure.”

Wan said the industry was on a collective journey of discovery with its shift away from deeply embedded diesel-equipment dependence and culture.

“Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate with your suppliers, with your consultants, with your partners, and with other miners as well, because we learn a lot from each other,” he said.

“[Introduction of] these decarbonisation technologies is not what we’re used to doing with steady-state commercial solutions. We really have to nurture them.”

This story was written by Richard Roberts of InvestMETS, one of The Electric Mine 2024 Supporting Partners

Sleipner premieres fully electric, autonomous transport system for mines

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Sleipner Finland has, this week at The Electric Mine 2024, unveiled a new generation of fully electric and autonomous transport system for moving mining and construction equipment.

The world premiere of the new emission-free transport system took place on Tuesday in Perth, Western Australia, at the event, organised by International Mining Events. The first deliveries are planned for 2026.

The new autonomous and emission-free electric transport system is aimed at mines that already use automated equipment, such as drills, and therefore have the infrastructure to support autonomous solutions. Several patents are pending for Sleipner’s transport solution.

Autonomous mining requires all equipment to be automated – from the giant vehicles that transport blasted rock and the drills. The entire site can be operated and monitored remotely and safely without mining personnel having to work among the automated vehicles, Sleipner says.

“There are already dozens of autonomous mines around the world, and more are coming all the time,” Jukka Koponen, CEO of Sleipner Finland, says. “Australia is one of the pioneers. Currently, the big mining companies are the driving force in autonomous mining, in part due to their emission reduction targets. By 2030, the goal among mining companies is to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by half and, at the same time, automate operations as much as possible. We want to be a pioneer in this development and a market leader in mobilisation solutions.”

He continued: “Several large equipment manufacturers have already been interested in our new transport system concept, and cooperation discussions are currently underway. We plan to deliver our first autonomous and electric transport system as early as 2026.”

The new transport system that has been unveiled by Sleipner Finland is battery-powered, which enables the use of renewable energy for the autonomous transport of mining and construction equipment.

Teijo Höylä, CTO at Sleipner Finland, explained: “Our new transport system makes it possible to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions completely when transporting equipment, whereas current solutions consume significant amounts of diesel. In the future, it will be possible to move machines with battery-powered, environmentally-friendly solutions. At the same time, the productivity of the equipment being transported will also improve by about 5%, while life cycle costs will decrease by up to 10%.”

The company says that the new autonomous and electric transport system will be scaled to different weight classes, and the autonomous control system interface will be brand independent.

Höylä says: “The autonomous and electric transport system can also be connected to the ecosystems of other OEMs since it has an open interface. Versatility and future needs have been taken into account in the design. The transport system can be used to transport, for example, drills, bulldozers and also battery packs at mines. In this way, battery power can be provided on a large scale, which helps in the electrification of mines and the efficient operation of battery-powered equipment.”

Like all other Sleipner Finland products, the new lowbed trailer is designed to operate reliable in temperatures ranging from -40 to +50°C, which is taken into account in the high-quality materials and components. Components from well-known manufacturers are also used, ensuring maintenance is as smooth as possible globally.

Sleipner Finland says it continues to grow steadily, with new products and market openings having – and will continue to have – a growing impact on employment both in production and in its globally expanding cooperation network, as well as in the future in connection with its autonomous control systems. Sleipner Finland’s most recent market openings have been in Poland and Canada. In addition to the Nordic countries, Sleipner Finland already has a strong presence in markets such as Australia and Africa.

Koponen emphasises: “The new transport system supports our growth strategy. We are investing significantly in product development and our cooperation network. Our goal is to be the strongest trendsetter within our own narrow field as a provider of transportation solutions for mining equipment. Thanks to our innovative R&D, we are able to serve the mining companies of the future in their emission reduction targets and operational efficiency.”

In addition to reducing emissions, the automation of mines is also a solution to the prevailing labour shortages in the sector. Technological advances also have an impact on occupational wellbeing.

Höylä explains: “Finding sufficient personnel for mines is a global challenge. Automated machines and equipment, such as our new transport system, enable mines to be operated by remote control. In this way, personnel do not have to be exposed to dust and vibration, which improves their wellbeing. Similarly, personnel do not have to work in the field among large machines, which increases safety. If a worker needs to enter the area, all activities must be stopped completely within a certain safety radius. Automated equipment, on the other hand, can work with each other with only certain limitations.”

Electric mine study points to the future, says IGO’s Carr

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Planned electrification of the Cosmos underground nickel mine in Western Australia had no bearing on owner IGO’s decision earlier this year to shelve redevelopment due to low metal prices and project cost escalation, The Electric Mine 2024 heard this week.

Acting COO of the diversified Australian miner, Chris Carr, said at the conference in Perth a study on the economic feasibility of switching from diesel equipment to battery-electric that ‘presented a compelling case to us’ for electrification highlighted current challenges and opportunities in the industry’s push to transition to new generation mobile equipment.

In parallel with the electrification study by mining contractor Perenti and engineering major ABB, IGO completed a project review that cut Cosmos’ expected mine life and pushed up capital and operating costs. Lower nickel prices have negatively impacted most Western Australian sulphide nickel mines.

IGO put Cosmos into care and maintenance at the start of 2024. “Electrification was not a factor in that decision,” Carr said at the The Electric Mine 2024, hosted by International Mining Events. “But electrification will be considered in any future Cosmos operation.”

A whitepaper summarising the study results was posted this week by IGO. ‘Making electrified underground mining a reality: Lessons from the Cosmos Electrification Study’ concluded replacing diesel underground mining vehicles with a battery-electric fleet was now technically feasible and will increasingly be a key technological enabler for mining companies to achieve their decarbonisation goals.”

Perenti and ABB said a combination of actual and projected battery-electric vehicle cost and performance data indicated BEV fleet available to the Australian market could match the productivity of mature diesel equipment.

They also found estimated costs to electrify Cosmos’ modest underground fleet was not prohibitive over the planned mine life, ‘even based on conservative productivity and cost assumptions.’ IGO wasn’t going to obtain full benefits from optimised ventilation and other infrastructure design due to sunk investment in the mine prior to its acquisition of the asset in 2022, Carr said.

The study identified gaps in available BEV operating and maintenance direct and indirect cost data due to the formative stage of equipment, battery, charging and support system development relative to entrenched diesel models.

It also highlighted significantly longer delivery times for battery-electric equipment than diesel models. “We hope this is not prioritising diesel units to make more money Carr said. “This is slowing adoption.” However, Carr said at the conference none of this would stop the march of EVs into traditional diesel territory.

The improving cost profile of EVs and the market pull created by industry decarbonisation goals were not the only drivers.”In five-to-10 years we’ll all be electric and be wondering what all the fuss was about. The cost differential of an all-electric mine presented a compelling case to us. We also believe the decision to electrify should include the safety case and the harder to quantify but nevertheless real benefits of the ESG case. The decision to electrify should be made on the combined basis of safety, ESG and economics. The economics is the hardest one right now. But safety ought to be enough on its own.”

Stricter standards for airborne diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions in Australia and elsewhere would ‘push electrification a lot harder,’ Carr said.

MasterMined Innovation CEO, Tony Sprague, told The Electric Mine 2024 DPM, and specifically nano-DPM, was ‘the elephant in the room’ and the ‘real driver of getting diesel out of the underground mine and to achieve the electric mine.’ Sprague, the former Group Manager of Directional Studies and Innovation with gold major Newcrest, said modern underground mine equipment diesel particulate filters regenerated carcinogenic nano-DPM in underground work environments.

“It can’t easily be measured…but we do know it’s more easily absorbed into the human body, through the skin, through the lungs, and it’s recirculated through the body, through the blood, and it impacts the body on a cellular level. Really we’re flying blind when it comes to the hazard of DPM and nano-DPM. There is a new [emission] target that is coming from Safe Work Australia that is not far away. When it’s going to land we’re not too sure, but if it does land it’s going to be very problematic for the industry.”

This story was written by Richard Roberts of InvestMETS, one of The Electric Mine 2024 Supporting Partners

Cavotec ready to drive mine electrification forward

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Cavotec’s rise in the mine electrification space was inevitable. Its origins as a designer and provider of connection and electrification solutions in ports and industrial applications provided an obvious analogue for a mining sector on the lookout for such technology.

On top of this, its electrification, power distribution and automation systems have previously been employed by the likes of BHP, Codelco, Pilbara Minerals, Rio Tinto and Vale, among others. It has also worked with OEMs such as Epiroc, Caterpillar, FAM, FLSmidth, Joy Global (Komatsu), TAKRAF, Sandvik, Aumund Group, Caterpillar, Normet and Metso, among others, on developing solutions.

Since securing an order in 2022 that signalled its entry into industrial battery charging for heavy-duty vehicles for a mining application in Australia, Cavotec has gone on to launch its ultra-fast Megawatt Charging System (MCS) to provide up to 3 MW of power from a single connector. This turnkey DC charging solution with grid-to-inlet functionality supports the decarbonisation of industry including mining, heavy vehicles and ships.

The MCS is also a modular solution, featuring either manual or automated connection to the vehicle inlet. It has three different power levels (350 kW, 1 MW, 3 MW) with an active connector and cable cooling system (included in 1 MW and 3 MW chargers) and a vehicle inlet included in the 3 MW charger.

A specified connector size and minimum weight is used depending on the power level while an advanced power management system incorporates user dashboards and controls the charging process.

We spoke with Cavotec’s Chief Technology Officer, Jim Andriotis, to find out more ahead of his appearance at The Electric Mine 2024, in Perth, Western Australia, taking place at the Crown Perth Complex, on May 21-23.

IM: Obviously Cavotec serves multiple industries looking to electrify their operations across the globe; how would you say the requirements from mining differ from the other verticals you regularly deal with?

JA: The key differences we see are the need for flexibility of installation and automation.

With the continually changing footprint of mines, it was critical that our equipment is easy to move in case the charging connection needs to be done in a different location. By containerising the power electronics and associated gear, the mine operator can move the equipment through fork-lift or with the shovel bucket when changing locations.

Cavotec’s origins are as a designer and provider of connection and electrification solutions in ports and industrial applications

Automation is key in the mining market, especially in the applications where high-powered charging is required. There is a strong trend in mining towards autonomous operation. It is critical that charging remains as part of this trend and enables mines to remove personnel from high-risk areas while maintaining operational efficiency.

IM: How have you confronted these requirements? Has the involvement of organisations like CharIN on global standards for charging batteries in applications like mining helped deal with these?

JA: Cavotec has now been a part of CharIN for four years and we are proud to have supported the move to standardisations such as MCS. The mining industry had been looking for a standard connector for charging already. The MCS solution and standards, with their accompanying power levels, were the right fit. The beauty of the MCS standard is that it creates a common interface and communication protocol while still allowing Cavotec to specify materials and construction to meet the robustness needed in the industrial environment we play in.

With a standard interface, Cavotec was able to focus on making sure the rest of the charging package met the needs of the mining industry knowing that the equipment that we develop can be used across multiple applications and manufacturers. That is the greatest advantage that MCS brings to the industry; the ability to develop an industry-driven solution but give the space to make it scalable.

IM: From your experience dealing with the mining sector to date, do you see many open-pit mining applications where static charging and the use of solutions such as your MCS could be suited? Conversely, where is dynamic charging of batteries needed in surface mining?

Cavotec Chief Technology Officer, Jim Andriotis

JA: Most open-pit applications will have equipment that has to move between pits, or pits to base. The large haul trucks are the prime example where they have a repetitive cycle and a waiting time where they can quickly take on energy. This is perfectly suited to the high-power charging system.

When we look at shovels, excavators and surface drill rigs, there may be a small percentage which will move to battery electric but the majority will remain tethered by cable reel as they are staying primarily in the pit and only moving larger distances during major layout changes.

In the end, electrification of these large haul trucks and pit equipment will need a variety of solutions. The dynamic charging systems in place work very well but are suited to larger, more mature mines where these throughways are fixed permanently (or almost permanently). In the end, both solutions have a place in mining, including together in some applications.

IM: The presentation you are due to give at The Electric Mine 2024 references a “collaborative journey” with the MCS. How have you found the mining sector when it comes to collaborating on solutions to overcome the challenges associated with electrifying mining fleets?

JA: Throughout this journey, we have worked closely with OEMs and end users to ensure that the needs of the mining industry are heard and addressed. From the beginning, inputs such as power requirements, robustness needs, automation needs and communication protocols have been discussed and shared with the larger CharIN group and the industry has been happy to provide this.

There are also groups under CharIN that have been created specifically to meet the needs of mining and this has been directly driven by the major industry players. So, the industry is in full support of this move to standardisation and accelerating the evolution of electrification.

IM: In addition to what you have already discussed, what can attendees look forward to hearing about?

JA: The industry needs to know that the technology and capabilities are there to drive future electrification forward. We have had fantastic support and collaboration from the industry in creating these new standards and initiatives. I would like to thank them for that. In combination with cable reels and dynamic charging, the addition of high-power charging is the last piece of the puzzle in bringing full electrification to a mine site.

Cavotec is a Gold Sponsor of The Electric Mine 2024, with the company having a major indoor display in the exhibition hall. Jim Andriotis will also be presenting, ‘Transforming mining fleets: The collaborative journey with the Megawatt Charging System’ during Day 2 of the event. Find out more about The Electric Mine 2024 by going to www.theelectricmine.com

ABB on the final piece of the electrification puzzle

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Every train, industrial, or transportation vehicle needs a unique traction powertrain for operation, with ABB, through its Traction division, holding a complete and flexible product portfolio that, it says, allows it to build the perfect electrification solution for operators to transition businesses to more sustainable and lower cost operations.

Each of these solutions can be tailored to customer requirements and the operating conditions of each vehicle that it powers, enabling maximum energy efficiency, zero carbon emissions and high reliability.

The company is able to leverage high-tech e-mobility and rail system traction converters, energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging solutions as part of its offering, complementing this with enhanced expertise to help accelerate the transition to all-electric operations.

One project where its impact has been felt is at Nuh Cement in Turkey where ABB is working jointly with the company to convert 10 mainly Euclid/Hitachi dump trucks with an average 160 ton capacity, which have completed their 30-year service life, from diesel engine power to electric.

This is one of the first mining truck battery conversion projects of its kind in the world and will be discussed in more detail during a presentation at The Electric Mine 2024.

Ahead of the event, taking place at the Crown Perth Complex, on May 21-23, we spoke with Fabiana Cavalcante, Head of Mobile e-Power at ABB, to find out more about the offering.

IM: ABB’s Traction division is working within a very competitive landscape when it comes to e-mobility in mining. What would you say are your unique selling points to the industry?

FC: We bring over 130 years of experience in mining electrification, combined with extensive expertise in electrification and charging infrastructure for cars, buses and trucks. This allows us to extend our capabilities to the final piece of the puzzle: electrifying mobile equipment.

Fabiana Cavalcante, Head of Mobile e-Power at ABB

Our journey began by utilising our unique knowledge in rail propulsion systems and adapting it to the harsh environment of mining. Our roots in electrifying the Swiss railway network over a century ago have established us as leaders in sustainable transportation solutions. We have translated this experience to increase energy efficiency, reliability and reduce emissions across rail networks, electric buses and other heavy vehicles. The building blocks of the technology are similar, making for a smooth transition.

Besides this, what truly sets us apart is our capacity to execute customised customer projects. Battery-electric propulsion requires more personalisation compared to diesel, and our history as an independent supplier has equipped us with the skills, mindset and a perfect portfolio of proven base components to adapt quickly and in larger quantities than any other company.

IM: You work with multiple OEMs and solution providers across the globe looking to electrify their operations. Are most of these companies looking to electrify their offerings during a similar timeframe?

FC: Many mining operators have ambitious sustainability targets, aiming to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by at least 30% by 2030. By 2050, many operators aim to achieve net-zero emissions, and the only path to that is by electrifying their mining vehicle fleets. If every truck in every mine were electrified, we could remove 198,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each day. Mining operators and OEMs recognise the potential to minimise their carbon footprint, and while this transition won’t happen overnight, we’re excited to partner with them and guide them on their electric journey.

IM: How often are you interacting directly with the operators during these types of projects? At this stage, is it often a collaboration between ABB, the OEM and the client?

FC: The level of interaction varies from project to project. In some cases, we have limited direct engagement with the mine operator, while in others, we are heavily involved. A recent example is our collaboration with Boliden and Epiroc, where we worked together to create the first battery-electric trolley truck system for underground mining. This close partnership was crucial to bringing this innovative project to life.

IM: In this regard, how does your work with Nuh Cement on converting its diesel powered fleet to electric power stand out from the work you normally carry out? Why is Nuh Cement able to collaborate directly with ABB on such a project?

FC: Nuh Cement approached us with the goal of converting their existing mining fleet of Euclid/Hitachi dump trucks to electric power and we officially began the project in 2022. We have vast experience in retrofitting vehicles for the rail business and we followed the same approach and procedures for the haul trucks.

The steep ramps with up to 20% gradient required us to pay close attention to ensure that the electric trucks could meet the expected performance and efficiency levels. This involved intense collaboration between both parties to translate simulations into practical, real-world solutions. Working closely with Nuh Cement, we tailored our solutions to fit their specific operational requirements and made sure our technologies aligned with their vision for a sustainable future. We hope many more mine operators will soon start to electrify their fleet and we’re excited to closely partner with them throughout their journey.

IM: Are you able to provide a sneak preview of what you will present at The Electric Mine 2024 in Perth about the Nuh Cement project? How has this project advanced since it was announced back in 2022?

FC: I’m excited to share the results of our groundbreaking collaboration with Nuh Cement at the event. Our partnership led to the successful electrification of a haul truck, demonstrating ABB’s ability to retrofit diesel-powered vehicles into fully electric ones – a milestone with significant implications for the mining industry. This transformation of a 30-year-old vehicle into a net-zero haul truck sets a new standard for sustainable mining practices worldwide.

Additionally, attendees will hear from Nuh Cement’s CEO, Kamil Gökhan Bozkurt, who will provide insights into this key project.

IM: In addition to what you have already discussed above, what can attendees of The Electric Mine 2024 look forward to hearing about next month?

FC: I encourage everyone to visit our team at booth 58 during the conference. Attendees will have the chance to explore our latest technology and innovations, including a preview of our new energy storage system, which offers exceptional lifespan, power and safety. We look forward to seeing you all there!

ABB is a Gold Sponsor of The Electric Mine 2024, with the company having a major indoor display in the exhibition hall. Fabiana Cavalcante will be on stage at the event presenting, ‘Powering progress: ABB and Nuh Cement’s zero emission dump truck’ during Day 1 of the event. Find out more about The Electric Mine 2024 by going to www.theelectricmine.com

GMG and IME seal The Electric Mine 2024 partnership

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Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG) and International Mining Events (IME) have signed a partnership agreement related to The Electric Mine event series, reinforcing the two organisations’ commitment to helping the mining industry electrify and decarbonise its global operations.

As part of the agreement, GMG and IME will work on a joint report evaluating the major discussion points and highlights of The Electric Mine 2024 – taking place in Perth, Western Australia, on May 21-23. This report, due to be published by the end of 2024, will also be leveraged as part of GMG’s own mine electrification work.

The Electric Mine is the world’s only global event focused on the practicalities of electrifying mobile mining equipment. The conference brings together all parts of the mine electrification ecosystem – OEMs, service suppliers, solution providers and mining companies – to highlight new projects, new thinking and new approaches to tackle the electrification transition. It caters to the need to implement solutions today to achieve interim decarbonisation targets, as well as longer-term, net-zero goals.

Since its inaugural show in February 2019, IME has attracted close to 1,200 global participants to its events.

The Electric Mine 2024 is set to bring more than 800 attendees to the Crown Perth for three days of presentations, panels and networking. For the first time, the 2024 event will also host an equipment showcase highlighting battery-electric trucks, a diesel-electric loader, a battery-electric excavator, an electric light vehicle and a battery-electric concrete sprayer.

GMG, as an event partner, will have a significant presence at the upcoming event, with Andrew Scott, Lead Principal, Innovation Delivery, BHP on behalf of GMG, set to present alongside several other GMG members over the three days.

The partnership represents a natural progression of previous collaborations between GMG and IME, including the first Electric Mine event in Toronto, in 2019, the second meeting in Stockholm, in 2022, and most recently, the third event, in Tucson, in 2023.

Andrew Scott, Lead Principal, Innovation Delivery, BHP on behalf of GMG

Through a number of working groups and industry guidelines, GMG has been helping accelerate the adoption of all-electric technologies in mining. The Electric Mine Working Group, in particular, has been looking to address the challenges associated with such technology, while sharing information on how to enable safer, more efficient, productive and cost-effective mines.

Active projects within this working group include an ‘Electric Mobile Equipment KPIs and Definitions Guideline’, to help enable mine operators to identify equipment performance and benchmark against other mine operations with the goal of improved electric equipment performance, and ‘Implementing the Transition from Diesel Mobile Equipment in Surface Mining Guideline’, to help provide direction and specific approaches, and identify best practices to help facilitate the process.

The crossover between The Electric Mine event series and GMG’s own electric mine work is vast, Dan Gleeson, Director of International Mining Events, says. “We see this partnership as a way to accelerate the learnings both groups are making, as well as distribute the information required to leverage and adapt such work for individual mine sites.”

Heather Ednie, Managing Director of GMG, echoed these sentiments: “GMG’s purpose is to enhance the safety, innovation and sustainability of the global mining community by facilitating and accelerating collaboration among industry stakeholders. This mine electrification collaboration is very much in keeping with this purpose.”

To read more about The Electric Mine 2024, head to the event website here.

‘The Electric Mine 2024 review: a GMG and International Mining publication’, will be published by the end of 2024.