PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Global technology company ABB has released a portfolio of solutions that will help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine.

Dubbed ABB Ability eMine, the portfolio comprises electrification technologies which make the all-electric mine possible from mine to port and is integrated with digital applications and services to monitor and optimise energy usage. It can electrify any mining equipment across hoisting, grinding, hauling and materials handling, the company said.

From 2022, it will include new ABB Ability eMine FastCharge, which provides high-power electric charging for haul trucks and is currently in pilot phase. It also incorporates the ABB Ability eMine Trolley System, which can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, significantly lowering energy costs and environmental impact.

eMine FastCharge can serve as a cornerstone of the transition to fully electrified mines across the industry, ABB said in a statement.

This flexible and fully automated solution is being designed for the harshest environments, can be installed anywhere and can charge any electric truck without human intervention at up to 600 kW, the highest power available on today’s market to minimise the downtime of mobile assets.

Charging time will depend on the battery capacity onboard the haul truck and the operational profile, however, in many instances a suitable state of charge could be reached within 15 minutes.

With eMine, ABB is extending its capabilities to the electrification of mining trucks and technologies for the full hauling process.

“The global mining industry is undergoing one of the most significant and important transformations of our generation, and that is to become zero-carbon,” said ABB global head of mining Max Luedtke.

“ABB Ability eMine is an exciting milestone to help convert existing mining operations from fossil fuel energy to all-electric. Mines can become ever more energy efficient with vastly reduced levels of CO₂ missions, while at the same time staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.”