OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
will be the working model of choice for electrification projects, particularly when it comes to mobile fleet integration.
COPPER MOUNTAIN CASE STUDY Advancements in battery technology such as FastCharge promise to accelerate the uptake of electric haul trucks in surface mines to supplement, and ultimately replace, heavily polluting diesel vehicles. Trolley assist lines are being used to
reduce emissions from diesel trucks in open pit operations, replacing them with hybrid- electric vehicles that use considerably less diesel fuel and thus produce fewer GHGs. Hybrid trucks also travel faster on the ramp, boosting throughput. Diesel consumption from haul trucks
was responsible for around 70% of the GHG emissions at the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia, Canada, prompting operator Copper Mountain Mining to partner with ABB to deliver an open-pit haul truck trolley assist solution for the flagship site, which produces approximately 100 million pounds (45,000 metric tons) of copper equivalent a year. Each truck is fitted with a pantograph to
receive external electric power. In addition to delivering both the off-truck trolley assist and overhead catenary system infrastructure, ABB is providing a rectifier substation that provides in excess of 12MW of DC power to the new trolley assist system. Te control system also connects with the existing distributed control system
A vision of the pilot eMine FastCharge
with a truck charging
automation platform, allowing for easy integration and monitoring of trolley operations and energy usage at the mine. Te initial phase of the trolley assist system was installed in late 2021; this project is aimed at cutting carbon emissions at the Copper Mountain Mine by at least 30%, paving a solid foundation to achieve the company’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Trucks run with 80% speed increase ensuring higher performance. Copper Mountain Mining has advised that overall, the mine will reduce carbon intensity by more than 50%
in 5-7 years through electrification and capacity increase, part of the company’s journey towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
THE FUTURE IS INTEGRATED AND ELECTRIC Te Copper Mountain trolley assist project is a compelling example of how electrification technology can be successfully integrated with existing equipment and processes – as well as digital applications and services – to monitor and optimise energy usage. Increasingly, digital platforms such as MineOptimize are encompassing the entire value chain, from hardware and software to visualisation and analytics tools as well as the various mine operations including electrification and sustainability.
Companies that commit to CAPEX in charging infrastructure, battery swapping, trolley systems or a combination of these – combined with harnessing the power of digital, data and automation – can look forward to a competitive advantage in the market and, just as importantly, demonstrate that the industry is serious about decarbonisation and securing a safer, more sustainable future for all.
ABB’s pilot eMine FastCharge
will be deployed in open-pit and underground environments
Mehrzad Ashnagaran is with ABB.
https://new.abb.com/mining/emine
www.engineerlive.com 19
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