Hard rock mining equipment manufacturer Sandvik is working with Swedish mining company Boliden AB to test and develop a new, battery-powered drill surface electric rig concept at Boliden's Kevitsa mine.
Like many European industrial companies, Boliden is working hard to decarbonize its mining operations. Therefore, it has chosen its Boliden Kevitsa open pit mine in Sodankylä, Northern Finland as a test bed for the new Sandvik drill rig concept, where it hopes to collect valuable data on the use of the large rig while improving energy efficiency. mine.
“Sandvik's battery and electric drilling rigs are a testament to our commitment to the non-productive value chain,” said Lauri Laihanen, vice president and surface mining R&D at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “Most of the emissions produced in Sandvik's value chain come from the use of our products, so reducing these emissions is a priority that will contribute to the sustainability of end products and global sustainability efforts.”
The battery drill rig provides up to one hour of drilling or up to seven hours of continuous tramming, and is primarily intended for drilling and drilling individual holes. Like other electrical techniques we've seen that work primarily in one location, the cable connection to grid power allows for continuous operation – a good solution here, where most of the rig's work takes place within reach of the nearly 600′ power cable.
Kevitsa mine operators regularly invest in automation, electrification, and remote control systems – all of which Sandvik calls “highlights” of its mining rig. This is the second such scenario operating in Europe, and the first being tested with a commercial partner.
Electrek's Take
While there are many people outside the mining industry who may scoff at environmental concerns, the quest for efficiency improvements and cost reductions among commercial ship owners is not politically correct. Simply put: If it's better or cheaper, they'll buy it. If so better and it's cheap, they'll buy two – and battery power seems consistently better, in a wider range of use cases, than diesel.
SOURCE | PHOTOS: Sandvik, Heavy Equipment Guide.
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