In a global call for entrepreneurs, mining companies intend to develop electrification solutions for trucks used in mines

The three largest mining companies in the world BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Vale informed, last Thursday (13/05), in a global teleconference for entrepreneurs, suppliers and start-ups that intend to develop solutions for the electrification of large used trucks in mines. The miners explained in a joint statement that the objective is to provide a solution that not only improves the safety and efficiency of battery production, but also replaces diesel with batteries, significantly reducing emissions during operations.

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Mining companies plan to develop electric trucks

This plan by the biggest miners comes at a time when base metals are becoming increasingly important as an important raw material for battery production. The Charge On Innovation Challenge, as the program by mining companies Vale, BHP and Rio Tinto was called, aims to generate solutions to replace diesel with batteries in large trucks.

As they are large trucks, the program's challenge will be to reduce the vehicle loading time, which is currently very long and impairs productivity. Mining companies need fast and scale charging technologies capable of providing around 400 kWh to load and propel a truck within the transport cycle, which involves loading, moving, dumping, returning and queuing.

The electrification of large trucks in the mineral sector

Carlos Mello, Director of Ferrous Engineering at Vale, says that the electrification of mines requires considerable integration between the planning and operations of mining companies, necessitating the development of new charging solutions that can be incorporated into operations, in parallel with the development of trucks to battery, to ensure the creation of a truly sustainable electric transport system in all aspects: clean, competitive and flexible.

Edgar Basto, president of BHP Minerals Australia, said that the innovative ideas that emerge from the project could also be immediately applied to existing diesel-electric equipment. Edgar also points out that these challenges of electrifying trucks will not be solved overnight, however, he points out that mining companies can find the best concepts that can be applied across the industry.

Mark Davies, Projects Executive at the Rio Tinto Group, hopes that the initiative to electrify the large trucks will generate long-term benefits for the mining industry and the environment. Mark further says that such a project by the miners has a global appeal for innovators to change the way haul truck systems operate in the mining sector.

The mining electrification project

This challenge of managing to electrify mining trucks is being led by Austmine (Australia's mining equipment, technology and services association). Recently, the three mining companies announced their intention to become carbon neutral by the year 2050.

Applications for the initiative, called “Charge On Innovation Challenge”, were opened yesterday (18/05), and candidates interested in the plans of the mining companies will be able to present their projects during this year.

In the same line for the reduction of emissions, the mining company Vale announced, last Thursday, that it will receive in the next few days the first mineral ship in the world, equipped with rotating sails, which aim to increase efficiency and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. .