Power supply
Fully electrified mining haul trucks are one of the many developments being undertaken across the industry.
area, there are huge opportunities but a lack of knowledge, industry cooperation or commercially available technology to move forward. For example, the supporting infrastructure required for electric equipment and vehicles is not well understood by mining industry stakeholders. The electrical infrastructure working group aims to establish OEM agnostic charging standards by prototyping a potential open charging system.
When it comes to light and auxiliary equipment, there is technology available but the economic and operating assumptions are unclear. This group plans to progressively convert a light and auxiliary equipment fleet to battery electric across multiple sites. “Although not critical to the core process, battery-electric light and auxiliary equipment presents a great opportunity to build understanding and acceptance at sites, without compromising mine productivity,” says Ratcliffe. On the energy storage front, mine-scale technologies are not yet operationally or economically proven. This group aims to test mine scale remote energy storage by installing multiple technologies across more than five sites.
Shifting mindsets
The biggest challenge facing the industry as it attempts to move towards net zero is procurement. “The supply chain for the electrification of mine sites is relatively immature,” Ratcliffe says. “Procurement and sourcing of zero-emission equipment is in its early stages and remains one of the major barriers to achieving emission targets. New business and commercial models are required between the suppliers and mining companies in order to scale up supply adequately.”
Another important challenge centres on the project skillset required to construct, or transition to, an electrified mine. According to Accenture’s resources practice, the profile of the future mining workforce could change by up to 77% by 2024, driven by increased adoption of advanced technologies.
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“Electrification will bring about several implications for the mining workforce and its capabilities. Many of these will reinforce those resulting from the broad digital transformation trend, with some specific additions. Both require a new mindset, new leadership approach and new skills at multiple levels within businesses,” says Ratcliffe. “Traditionally, mining companies operate with siloed, business unit level accountabilities, which are deliberate in controlling concentrated sources of energy to power operations. An all-electric mine managed systemically, coupled with a highly networked energy source, will require a significant cultural shift to a more integrated operation,” she adds.
Maturing supply chains According to the Electric Mine Consortium’s data, 61% of the industry believe the first step in transitioning to an all-electric system is through developing renewable energy generation capability. “Without a clean supply of electricity, the emission reduction achieved through a battery electric fleet is nullified – you are recharging with fossil fuels,” says Ratcliffe. This must be a top priority for the sector in the years to come. At the EMC, the key focus going forward will remain on delivering on the current working groups with members and support from partners for expanding the number of pilots and trials. The consortium collectively has over 35 equipment and technology trials planned for the year ahead. The results from these trials will be shared between all members to ensure the acceleration of learnings and insight. Ratcliffe is optimistic but realistic about where the industry could be in five years time. “Supply chains will have matured and electric equipment will be more widely available, trailed and adopted, giving the industry greater clarity on how the electric mine will function,” she predicts. “There will likely be much more on-grid and off-grid renewable energy commissioned and used by industrial processes, with large-scale storage solutions [also] in the early stages of commissioning for off-grid operations.” ●
World Mining Frontiers /
www.nsenergybusiness.com
Parilov/
Shutterstock.com
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