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A combination of energy resilience potential, productivity improvements and efficiency gains is seeing mining companies re-think the application of long-distance conveying technology at mining operations, Joachim Braun, Division President of Process Industries at ABB, told IM on the sidelines of the FT Metals and Mining Summit in London, last week.
Quizzed on the industry drivers for mine electrification, Braun reiterated that the majority of Tier One mining companies remain committed to reaching net-zero operational status, albeit with different targets to, say, five years ago.
Instead of going from zero to fully electric solutions like previously envisaged, however, these companies are taking a different “trajectory”, with Braun saying interim solutions such as hybrid haulage technology are of particular interest.
“It is now likely to be a gradual implementation of electric technologies, instead of the wholesale shift that was previously discussed,” he said. “For example, the site might look at electric or hybrid options across a fraction of the operation – up-ramp haulage, for instance, where the increased cycle time provides significant benefits – instead of adopting this across the entire open pit and entire fleet.”
This approach is more akin to where trolley assist has traditionally been applied in mining, too.
Aside from the potential productivity benefits that could come from such electric adoption, miners are also looking to adopt these technologies to improve operational efficiency and operating costs, and strengthen their energy resilience, according to Braun.
On the latter, he said: “Obviously the hydrocarbon market dynamic over the last eight or so months has had a real impact on the way mining companies are looking at electric technologies. They may now be looking at a way to diversify away from diesel – or reduce their exposure – on the back of rising prices and fears over scarcity of supply.”
These market dynamics are causing some operations to also reconsider electric technologies they previously dismissed, such as long-distance overland conveyors.
“We’re seeing technology ‘alternatives’ looked at in a more objective way,” Braun said.
“We’re now having conversations with companies that previously dismissed the potential use of conveyors over significant distances, evaluating them alongside diesel-backed trucking, rail haulage and the like.”
One such company ABB is working with is in fact planning to adopt conveying technology to connect an existing processing plant at a brownfield operation with a new satellite orebody via a 65-km conveyor.
For reference, the most powerful major mining conveyor installation ABB has been involved in is the 13 km underground and overland system at Codelco’s Chuquicamata underground copper mine in Chile. It partnered with TAKRAF on this project, with the Germany-based company supplying the actual conveyor system.
ABB has also previously been involved in supplying electrification, drives and automation solutions to the 24-km-long pipe conveyor installation at JSW Steel’s iron ore operation in Bellary, India.
“Obviously the size of the orebody – in terms of mine life – means the economics for this length of conveyor stack up,” he said on this 65-km example. “But, historically, this type of project in this country would have chosen a diesel-powered trucking option or even rail.
“This goes to show you how the drivers I mentioned are pushing people to reconsider technologies that were previously considered an ‘alternative’ solution.”
Pictured is ABB’s Joachim Braun on the left and IM Editor, Dan Gleeson, on the right
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