Complete fleet electrification program underway
The transition to battery-powered underground mine equipment has taken a major step forward with the decision by MacLean Engineering to undertake a complete fleet electrification program.
The company’s first battery-powered unit was field trialed at the NORCAT Underground Test Centre in Sudbury earlier this year and subjected to a ramp test in April in anticipation of going underground.
The main drivers for the transition to battery power are cost containment and the health and wellness of workers.
“In March of last year, we were hearing market signals that everyone else was hearing about rising ventilation costs and concern about diesel particulate matter,” said MacLean Engineering marketing manager Stuart Lister. “As mines go deeper, the need for diesel-free options increases.”
The company has started building a second unit and has plans for the balance of the year that will allow it to build any of its ground support, ore flow or utility vehicles with battery propulsion systems.
“We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t have strong interest from our long-standing customers,” said Lister. “It’s a very ambitious program, but we see it as the way of the future.”
The bolter uses a lithium ion manganese, nickel cobalt battery with onboard charging, freeing customers from having to install additional charging infrastructure.
The bolter has three battery modules allowing it to tram three or four hours – more than enough to get to the working face. Once in the working area, it plugs into the existing mine grid to recharge.
“The battery-powered MacLean bolter looks like the old MacLean bolter, but it sounds like a golf cart,” said Lister.
The battery technology is scalable and customizable for different applications.
“A utility vehicle that’s tramming more will potentially have a different stack setup, depending on the mine and the application,” said Lister.
A battery-powered boom truck, the next unit on the drawing board, will be on display at MINExpo in September.
“We’re in a down cycle now and commodity prices are low, so every company in the industry is focused on cost containment, but if you look to the medium or long term, this is the way to go,” said Lister.
