MechChem Africa May-June 2022

⎪ Back page ⎪

With the mining industry searching eagerly for sustainability solutions and efficiency gains, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are presenting exciting opportunities to raise the game. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions already has a range of battery-powered LHD (load haul dump) loaders in operation globally, and mines in southern Africa are now looking at how BEVs can serve their specific strategic priorities. Now is the time for BEVs in mining I n the mine of the future, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are poised to play a lead ing role in improving health and safety, boosting efficiencies and achieving AutoConnect and AutoSwap functions, the loader can change batteries

Sandvik’s mobile charging station and a connection to the mine electric grid is all that is needed for charging the company’s BEV batteries.

on its own in just six minutes. Similarly, the battery charging facilities – complete with coolingcomponent –canbe readilymovedand installed to suit the location of the fleet. The charger is also designed to have only a light impact on themine’s electrical network. Lambert highlights the importance of the extendedtechnicalsupportthatSandvikMining andRockSolutionscanoffer tominingcustom erswhoemployBEVs for thefirst time. Service level agreements can include closemonitoring and maintenance of equipment, and options

sustainability goals. With BEV technology at their disposal, southernAfricanminesarenowabletoconsider how to prepare themselves to best advantage, argues Deon Lambert, business line manager for load and haul at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “For mines that are working towards car bon neutrality, there are options to combine on-mine renewable energy generation with BEVs,” says Lambert. “In countries where grid power is unreliable, this strategy also holds the promiseofmorestreamlinedanduninterrupted operations.” With a solid reference base of its battery powered LHDs and trucks already operating in the field, SandvikMining and Rock Solutions hasmade considerable progress in introducing BEV technology intomines. From4 t LHDs in 2 to3mtunnels to65 t trucks in5 to6mtunnels, theBEVproposition iswell-proven. Thekey, he says, is to ensure that there is the right level of site readiness before bringing any innovation into an existing process. “For instance, it is clear that BEVs cannot on their own improve the carbon footprint of anolder, cable-trailingfleet if themine’s source of electricity is still a coal-fired power grid,” he notes. Key to the enabling infrastructure for a productive BEV fleet is the necessary exper tise for maintaining and servicing all technical aspects to achieve the expected performance levels. This process of skills development is well underway among Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions people in southern Africa, and will be rolled out into an upskilling process for customer personnel. “Anadvantageofour technologyanddesign is thatweminimise thenew infrastructure that mines need to put in place to run our BEVs,” he says. “Our LH518Bunderground loader, which will soon be introduced to this region, needs no cranes or forklifts to change the battery, for example.” Equipped wi th Sandvik’ s patented

such as batteries-as-a-service rather than purchasing batteries. “The entry of BEVs into our market is an excitingdevelopment for the futureofmining,” he says. “To fully leverage its value, though, we need strong partnerships at mine level for mines and suppliers to succeed in this techno logical journey together.” www.sandvik.com

Equipped with patented AutoConnect and AutoSwap functions, Sandvik’s LH518B underground BEV loader can change batteries on its own in just six minutes.

44 ¦ MechChem Africa • May-June 2022