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BOLIDEN, EPIROC AND ABB MAKE FIRST BATTERY-ELECTRIC TROLLEY TRUCK SYSTEM FOR UNDERGROUND MINING A REALITY
This technology milestone brings the mining industry a step closer to the all-electric mine of the future.
The Swedish collaborators are proud to have successfully deployed the first fully battery-electric truck trolley system. Image Boliden
Boliden, Epiroc and ABB have passed a new technology milestone by successfully deploying the first fully battery-electric trolley truck system on an 800-meter-long underground mine test track in Sweden, with a 13 percent incline. This means the mining industry is a step closer to realizing the all-electric mine of the future, with sustainable, productive operations and improved working conditions.
The achievement of the collaboration in Boliden’s Kristineberg mine in northern Sweden marks a critical moment for the mining industry as it continues to face rising pressures to balance increased outputs of critical minerals and metals with lower carbon emissions and energy usage. Demand for minerals critical to society’s clean-energy transformation is predicted to increase between 1.5 to seven times by 2030 according to the IEA, making electrification a priority.
In tandem with reducing carbon emissions, the electrification of mining also promises improved health and safety for the industry’s workforce. By deploying this system, the collaboration partners aim to prove that the underground working environment can be significantly improved, with less emissions, noise and vibration while reducing the total cost per ton.
Each partner has provided a unique set of expertise to this development process, clearly demonstrating the value of industry collaboration. Epiroc has added dynamic charging to its proven battery-electric Minetruck MT42 SG and battery system, and the trolley solution is equipped with ABB’s DC converter, HES880 inverters and AMXE motors to enhance the power. The truck features a trolley pantograph connected to an overhead catenary line, a concept which is 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 for a mining operation.
ABB created the infrastructure from grid to wheel, including the electric trolley truck system design and the rectifier substation for the test track. The definition of standards and vehicle interface was jointly developed by the project partners. The eMine™ Trolley System also integrates with the distributed control system (DCS) ABB Ability™ System 800xA® to monitor the electrical system.
The truck features a trolley pantograph connected to an overhead catenary line. Image Boliden
The underground environment is a unique challenge. To design a solution that could adapt to voltage fluctuations along the system, ABB collaborated with its partners to build a digital twin to simulate all scenarios. The result is a dynamic trolley system, with intelligent switchgear, measurements and transparency with the inbuilt ability to adjust power where it is needed at any given moment.
Boliden intends to implement a full scale, autonomous electric-trolley system in the Rävliden mine, a satellite orebody and extension of the Kristineberg mine, and has placed an order for four (4) Minetruck MT42 SG Trolley trucks from Epiroc. The total distance will be 5 km at a depth of 750 meters. Once achieved, 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.
First images of the underground battery-electric trolley truck system from Boliden, Epiroc and ABB. Video Boliden
Boliden, Epiroc and ABB have passed a new technology milestone by successfully deploying the first fully battery-electric trolley truck system on an 800-meter-long underground mine test track in Sweden, with a 13 percent incline. This means the mining industry is a step closer to realizing the all-electric mine of the future, with sustainable, productive operations and improved working conditions.
The achievement of the collaboration in Boliden’s Kristineberg mine in northern Sweden marks a critical moment for the mining industry as it continues to face rising pressures to balance increased outputs of critical minerals and metals with lower carbon emissions and energy usage. Demand for minerals critical to society’s clean-energy transformation is predicted to increase between 1.5 to seven times by 2030 according to the IEA, making electrification a priority.
In tandem with reducing carbon emissions, the electrification of mining also promises improved health and safety for the industry’s workforce. By deploying this system, the collaboration partners aim to prove that the underground working environment can be significantly improved, with less emissions, noise and vibration while reducing the total cost per ton.
Each partner has provided a unique set of expertise to this development process, clearly demonstrating the value of industry collaboration. Epiroc has added dynamic charging to its proven battery-electric Minetruck MT42 SG and battery system, and the trolley solution is equipped with ABB’s DC converter, HES880 inverters and AMXE motors to enhance the power. The truck features a trolley pantograph connected to an overhead catenary line, a concept which is 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 for a mining operation.
ABB created the infrastructure from grid to wheel, including the electric trolley truck system design and the rectifier substation for the test track. The definition of standards and vehicle interface was jointly developed by the project partners. The eMine™ Trolley System also integrates with the distributed control system (DCS) ABB Ability™ System 800xA® to monitor the electrical system.
The truck features a trolley pantograph connected to an overhead catenary line. Image Boliden
The underground environment is a unique challenge. To design a solution that could adapt to voltage fluctuations along the system, ABB collaborated with its partners to build a digital twin to simulate all scenarios. The result is a dynamic trolley system, with intelligent switchgear, measurements and transparency with the inbuilt ability to adjust power where it is needed at any given moment.
Boliden intends to implement a full scale, autonomous electric-trolley system in the Rävliden mine, a satellite orebody and extension of the Kristineberg mine, and has placed an order for four (4) Minetruck MT42 SG Trolley trucks from Epiroc. The total distance will be 5 km at a depth of 750 meters. Once achieved, 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.
First images of the underground battery-electric trolley truck system from Boliden, Epiroc and ABB. Video Boliden
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