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Electric vehicles extend into world markets and deepen their incursion. The Swedish mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc AB wants to electrify all its underground machines over the next five years.
The company on Wednesday launched a new line including what it describes as the largest battery vehicle intended for underground mining. : a truck with a capacity of 42 tons that can transport rock fragments through narrow tunnels.
It is part of the company's latest series of mobile excavators – including derricks and loaders – designed to reduce emissions. and reduce the energy costs of mining companies.
The reduction in the use of diesel could present significant cost advantages for the industry: 40% of the energy expenditure of an underground mine corresponds to the amount of fuel used by the industry. supply of giant ventilation systems. eliminate pollutants from tunnels.
The search for an electrified environment last month saw the momentum of a sectoral lobby, the International Council on Mining and Metals, which plans to reduce the impact of emissions from Underground diesel by 2025.
"Next year, we will begin the production of a charger We will begin to offer medium-sized rigs with battery options," said Sami Niiranen in Orebro, Sweden, who was appointed head of the Epiroc underground production unit.
Epiroc, using the energy packages that make up Northvolt AB, said the initial cost of buying a battery-powered vehicle would be about double that of a conventional vehicle. Although this is offset by lower fuel and energy costs, initial expenses could be prohibitive. In an attempt to increase sales, Epiroc will lease batteries for its new range of vehicles, which would represent a cost slightly higher than that of an equivalent diesel engine.
Larger, heavier
New electric vehicles They are larger and more powerful than the first Epiroc models that arrived on the market in 2016 and use customers such as the Brazilian mining company Nexa Resources. Until now, they represent only a small part of the sales of Epiroc, which has been working in electrification since 2013. The company hopes new or expanding mines, which are not yet equipped with expensive ventilation systems.
Sweden Sandvik AB sold hundreds of vehicles with electric cables and plans to launch its own battery-powered machines. Nordic companies dominate global sales of underground mining equipment and together account for three-quarters of the market. They compete with Caterpillar Inc. and the Japanese company Komatsu Ltd.
The International Council on Mining and Metals also wants vehicles to be free of greenhouse gases for open pit mining activities by 2040.
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