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Heavy machinery procured at $896m coal project in SQ

New Acland hybrid truck

An innovative energy technologies supplier has been procured at an $896 million coal project in Queensland’s Darling Downs region.

A diesel and natural gas hybrid truck developed by Mine Energy Solutions (MES) is being trialled at New Hope Group’s (NHG’s) New Acland Coal Mine, 10km north of Oakey.

The High Density Compressed Natural Gas Truck operates on an advanced duel fuel system. The revolutionary technology is promised to use sequential gas injection for converting high
horsepower diesel engines from 100 per cent diesel to dual fuel operation, using natural gas
as the dominant fuel.

The 18-month trial is focusing on finding a viable alternative fuel to reduce costs and truck emissions at the mine.

“This new hybrid truck trial follows a string of other successful New Acland innovations like
the introduction of the Wirtgen Surface Miner for thin seam mining and the use of 4G
equipped surveying drones in the controlled airspace above our operation,” New Acland general manager David Vink says.

“MES shares our commitment to innovation so we’ve really enjoyed working with them to get this new hybrid technology up and running at New Acland.”

Register your interest to become a New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 supplier through the registration page: aclandproject.com.au/content/supplier-registration

To view or submit an expression of interest for the major procurement packages currently available, please visit the New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Project Gateway.

No jobs have been advertised yet, but they will be advertised here: newhopegroup.com.au/content/careers/current-opportunities

MES reveals the hybrid truck has been onsite at New Acland since August 2016 and operated since December.

“So far the hybrid truck has performed to the same engine and truck performance as New
Acland’s regular diesel-fuelled trucks,” MES mine integration manager Bernie Ford says.

“The new duel fuel system overcomes the weight and space limitations of conventional
compressed natural gas and the cryogenic complexities of liquefied natural gas. In addition to significant cost savings, we’re confident the hybrid truck will also reduce vibration and noise levels compared to standard mining industry trucks.”

A key component of the trial has been transitioning the hybrid truck into New Acland’s regular work roster.

“The new hybrid technology has been developed to support a full work shift of up to 12 hours,” Ford says.

“This means the hybrid truck can operate to the same rosters as New Acland’s regular equipment therefore minimising any impact the trial could have on the mine’s productivity.”

A natural gas re-fuelling station has been installed to support the trial.

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