Swiss-based multinational ABB has launched its Ability e-mine, a portfolio of solutions that will help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine.
Credit: Dmitriy Kuznietsov / Shutterstock
The company also unveiled the ground-breaking ABB Ability e-mine FastCharge, the world’s fastest and most powerful charging system, designed to interface with all makes of electric mining haul trucks.
Fleet electrification is very important given that 25% of emissions come from transport, and fleets are a large element of this. With CO2 levels at an all-time high and continuing to rise, it’s vital that emissions are reduced and the transition to electric transportation is a key way to achieve this.
ABB, with sustainability being one of the group's priorities, is at the forefront of supporting the transformation.
Its new solution comprises a portfolio of electrification technologies which makes the all-electric mine possible from mine to port. It is integrated with digital applications and services to monitor and optimise energy usage. It can electrify any mining equipment across hoisting, grinding, hauling and material handling.
From 2022, it will include the new ABB Ability e-mine FastCharge which provides high-power electric charging for haul trucks and is currently in its pilot phase.
It also incorporates the ABB Ability e-mine Trolley System which can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, significantly lowering energy costs and environmental impact.
“The global mining industry is undergoing one of the most significant and important transformations of our generation – and that is to become zero-carbon,” said Max Luedtke, global head of mining at ABB.
“ABB Ability e-mine is an exciting milestone to help convert existing mining operations from fossil fuel energy to all-electric. Mines can become even more energy efficient with vastly reduced levels of CO₂ emissions, while at the same time staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.”
eMine™ FastCharge can serve as a cornerstone of the transition to fully electrified mines across the industry. This flexible and fully automated solution is being designed for the harshest environments, can be installed anywhere and can charge any electric truck without human intervention at up to 600kW, the highest power available on today’s market to minimise the downtime of mobile assets.
Charging time will depend on the battery capacity onboard the haul truck and the operational profile, however, in many instances, a suitable state of charge could be reached within 15 minutes. With eMine™, ABB is extending its capabilities to the electrification of mining trucks and technologies for the full mining process.
ABB helps mine operators map their journey towards an all-electric mine from phasing out diesel to embedding a new mindset and new team skills. By fully integrating electrification and digital systems from the mine to the port, eMine™ further reduces overall costs and improves mine performance while significantly lowering environmental impact.
ABB draws on 130 years of experience in the mining industry and is a pioneer in the integration of electrification, automation and digitisation in mining. eMine™ is underpinned by ABB Ability™ MineOptimize, a platform that optimises engineering in the design of the plant or mine and facilitates the transition to the digital and CO₂-free mine of the future.
ABB is not only helping customers around the world transition to electric transportation but is also making this change itself, in line with its 2030 sustainability strategy and to help enable a low-carbon society.
“As part of the EV100, ABB has committed to electrifying its fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles by 2030. In addition, there are already projects that ABB is doing around the world such as in Sweden where ABB has started to convert its fleet of around 700 company cars to electric. And in the UK, ABB announced that it was going to transition its 500 fleet company cars to electric by 2025," said Stephanie Medeiros, E-mobility Global Account Manager.
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