Electrification of mining equipment and utilization of renewable energy sources promote sustainable mine development

Electrification of mining equipment and utilization of renewable energy sources promote sustainable mine development

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In the context of carbon neutrality, large mining companies around the world have actively deployed and implemented the electrification of mining equipment to enhance their sustainable development capabilities

Under the background of "double carbon", the world's large mining companies have put forward their own climate change solutions. Rio Tinto's Climate Change 2020 Report Outlines its strategy and pathway to a low-carbon future across all operations in compliance with the Paris Agreement by reducing absolute emissions by 15 per cent in 2030 and emissions intensity by 30 per cent relative to 2018 baseline levels, as well as achieving a net zero emissions target by 2050. Chile's national Copper industry's 2030 sustainability plan promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by establishing what it calls a "100 percent clean energy matrix," including electrifying all underground production and transportation facilities and actively participating in the search for new clean energy sources, such as hydrogen. Russian Multi-Metals' first Climate Change Report, published in 2021, proposes to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity and a 35% reduction in absolute emissions by 2030, relative to the 2019 baseline level.

According to a recent survey of global mining industry executives, 87% believe all existing mines will be fully electrified within 20 years, while 60% believe the next generation of mines will be fully electrified. Some of the world's largest mining companies, such as Vale, Chile's National Copper and Barrick Gold, are experimenting with fully battery-powered underground mining equipment. Among them, South African precious metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater is testing Artisan at its Stillwater and East Boulder platinum group metals mines in Montana, USA The A4 underground scraper of Vehicles (Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology's Loading & Transport division), with a payload capacity of 4 tonnes, offers the best line of sight in a compact space and a 20% reduction in turning radius for greater maneuverability. The device uses a lithium iron phosphate battery motor that can produce 150 kilowatts of power and 800 nm of torque. Compared to other diesel-powered scrapers, the A4 has 3.5 times more power and more torque, while producing only one eighth of the heat. LKAB's Kiruna Iron mine is one of the most automated/intelligent mines in the world, although the six unmanned scrapers that have been remotely operated at the same time are still diesel-powered. However, LKAB plans to conduct field tests on Epitop's 14-ton ST14 battery-powered scraper and Sandvik's 15-ton 625IE battery-powered scraper in 2021. In February 2021, Canadian mining company New Gold announced that it would deploy a battery-powered mining fleet at its New Afton underground copper-gold mine in British Columbia, Canada. These include Sandvik's 50-ton Z50 battery-powered mining truck, the first 18-ton LH518B battery-powered scraper deployed in North America and the world, and the new DS412ie anchor rig. In March of the same year, Fortescu Metals Group announced an agreement with Williams Advanced Engineering for the design, construction, testing and integration of battery systems to power mining trucks, as well as the development of fast charging devices, in which the battery system will be installed on a prototype 240-ton transport truck developed by Fortescu. The company is also conducting performance tests at its mines in Australia's Pilbara mines, where the next stage will consider hydrogen fuel cell power systems. In July of the same year, Epito announced that Ivanhoe Mines' South African subsidiary had ordered several Boomer M2 battery-powered drilling RIGS and Scooptram ST14 battery-powered loaders for its Platreef project.

Chile is a major mining country, and mining production accounts for 14% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. In July 2020, Chile's Economic Development Agency, Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Chile International Centre of Excellence, France's ENGIE Group and Australia's Mining3 announced the creation of the HYDRA project, which aims to develop fuel cell mining trucks equipped with hybrid power systems for Chile's mining industry. Using advanced lithium batteries and hydrogen fuel cells (green hydrogen) to replace the traditional diesel power system. The HYDRA project is part of a new round of national emission reduction policies in Chile, after the Chilean government and the country's mining sector agreed on a "Green mining plan" aimed at helping the country meet its 2050 carbon neutral commitment by decarbonizing mining production. The HYDRA project will start in December 2020 for 18 months and is expected to complete the development of the green powered truck prototype by the end of April 2021. By June 2021, the project hopes to achieve the following goals: (1) Computer simulations demonstrate that the mechanical and electrical design can improve the system efficiency by at least 10%; (2) Comparative analysis of cost and benefit between diesel power system and HYDRA system; ③ Contact with major mining truck original equipment manufacturers including Komatsu, Caterpillar, etc., integrate the developed system into the actual truck, and plan to conduct field testing; Legal and technical analysis in accordance with the regulations of the Chilean hydrogen energy and electric power system; ⑤ Consider a business model for the large-scale application of HYDRA technology in the mining industry.