Largest battery-electric underground mining truck begins trials at Sunrise Dam
An agreement between AngloGold Ashanti, Barminco and Sandvik has resulted in the trial of the largest battery-electric underground mining truck.
The Sunrise Dam mine, owned by AngloGold, in WA will host the world-first trials as the Sandvik TH665B truck is to put to work in Australian conditions.
As well as producing zero diesel emissions underground and generating 80% less heat, the truck is expected to be up to 25% faster on a 1:7 ramp than regular diesel trucks.
Head of electrification and technology for Barminco parent company Perenti Darren Kwok says he is excited to see what the agreement can achieve.
“As a business, we are focused on how we can support our clients to decarbonise their mines and trialling equipment to support this is a critical part of our strategy,” he said.
“Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) not only have the potential to lower carbon emissions, they can also improve the underground environment for mine workers and boost the efficiency of operations.
“We’re extremely pleased that the first Sandvik TH665B to be built has come to Sunrise Dam for real world trials with us and AngloGold Ashanti. With the longer haul ramps and the harsh Australian operating conditions, it will be put to the test.”
The Sandvik TH665B truck made its Australian debut at the World Mining Congress in Brisbane earlier in the year.
The truck uses lithium-iron phosphate battery technology and the electric driveline delivers 630kW of continuous power, allowing for high acceleration and shorter cycle times. Further, it produces zero diesel emissions underground and significantly less heat than a comparable conventional truck.
Sandvik will have four technicians on site who will support the machine throughout the testing period and will provide operator and maintenance training to the teams on site.
Mr Kwok says Barminco’s parent company Perenti is working towards a fully electrified, zero carbon emission and zero diesel mine.
“We believe BEVs like this one have a critical role to play in the electric mines of the future and supporting decarbonisation,” he said.
“In this trial, two areas we will be monitoring closely are the ramp speed and the contribution to emissions reduction.”
