ABB has launched ABB Ability eMine, a portfolio of technologies designed to help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine. ABB is also piloting ABB Ability eMine FastCharge, which the company said is the world’s fastest and most powerful charging system and is designed to interface with all makes of electric mining haul trucks.

eMine comprises a portfolio of electrification technologies that makes the all-electric mine possible from mine to port and is integrated with digital applications and services to monitor and optimize energy usage. It can electrify any mining equipment across hoisting, grinding, hauling and material handling. In 2022 it will include the new ABB Ability eMine FastCharge, which provides high-powered electrical charging for haul trucks. It also incorporates the ABB Ability eMine Trolley System, which can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90 percent while haul trucks are on an electric trolley system.

“The global mining industry is undergoing one of the most significant and important transformations of our generation–to become zero-carbon,” said Max Luedtke, global head of mining at ABB. “ABB Ability eMine is an exciting milestone to help convert existing mining operations from fossil fuel energy to all-electric systems. Mines can become more energy efficient with vastly reduced levels of CO? emissions, while at the same time staying competitive and ensuring high productivity.”

“We are celebrating 130 years in the mining industry and decades in the electrification of mining equipment,” added Mehrzad Ashnagaran, global product line manager, Electrification and Composite Plant. “Today we are extending our engineering capabilities and investment to electric transport to bring new solutions to meet the growing demand of our customers.” The suite of products is designed to address a host of issues including the environment, fuel price volatility, making electricity more cost competitive, and legislative factors that are driving the move to electric-powered mines.

The eMine FastCharge system is flexible and fully automated and is being designed for the harshest environments. It can be installed anywhere and can charge any electric truck without human intervention at up to 600kW , the highest power available on today’s market. Charging time will depend on the battery capacity onboard the haul truck and the operational profile, but a suitable charge may be reached within 15 minutes. Further, eMine is designed to reduce costs and improve mine performance while significantly lowering environmental impact.