Global technology company ABB has launched a portfolio of solutions that will help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine, called ABB Ability eMine.

The eMine solution 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 use.

It can electrify any mining equipment across hoisting, grinding, hauling and materials handling.

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.

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

He adds that 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 carbon dioxide emissions, while staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.”

ABB global product line manager Mehrzad Ashnagaran adds that the company is celebrating 130 years in the mining industry and decades in the electrification of mining equipment.

“Today, we are extending our engineering capabilities and investment to electric transport, to bring new solutions to meet the growing demand of our customers.

“Besides the environmental benefits, fuel price volatility, making electricity more cost competitive, and legislation are driving the move to electric-powered mines. ABB not only understands these requirements, but we can also equip the industry to meet them.”

ABB believes eMine FastCharge can serve as a cornerstone of the transition to fully electrified mines across the industry.

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 eMine solution provides integral design planning and thinking to maximise the value of electrification, helping to design the hauling process in the most optimized way with electrical solutions that match mine constraints and help meet production targets.

ABB helps mine operators map their journey towards an all-electric mine from phasing out diesel to embedding a new mindset and new team skills.

By fully integrating electrification and digital systems from the mine to the port, eMine further reduces overall costs and improves mine performance while significantly lowering environmental impact.

The solution is underpinned by the ABB Ability MineOptimize platform, which optimises engineering in the design of the plant or mine and facilitate the transition to the digital and carbon neutral mine of the future.