Three mining companies are one step closer to completely transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Epiroc, ABB and Boliden recently celebrated deploying the first ever fully battery-electric trolley truck system.
Four Minetruck MT42 SG Trolley trucks will autonomously travel 5km at a depth of 750 metres and 13 per cent incline at Boliden’s Kristineberg underground mine, 780km north of Stockholm.
The driverless technology has already completed an 800 metre test track at the mine site. The trucks will be fitted with with ABB’s DC converter, HES880 inverter and AMXE motors to enhance power.
“This means the mining industry is a step closer to realising the all-electric mine of the future, with sustainable, productive operations and improved working conditions,” the employers said in a joint public statement.
“Not only will Rävliden have significant less carbon emissions compared to a mine using conventional technology, it will also be part of setting a standard for new mines … [that] underground working environment can be significantly improved with less emissions, noise and vibration throughout while reducing the total cost per ton.”
Trolley pantographs will be connected to an overhead catenary line, making them “highly suitable” for long haul ramps.
“The electric trolley line gives additional assistance to the battery-electric mine truck on the most demanding stretches up ramp while fully loaded enabling further reach and battery regeneration during drift, which increases productivity drastically,” the companies said.
The environmentally friendly technology took more than three years to develop according to Boliden area general manager Peter Bergman.
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