The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - August 9, 2024
ABB is supplying Antofagasta Minerals with advanced technology solutions from its eMine portfolio, including a trolley assist system to significantly reduce emissions from diesel haulage and extend the range of battery-powered trucks.
The more than 700,000 metric tons of copper produced at its mines in Chile makes Antofagasta the world's fifth largest supplier of this metal critical to the energy transition.
Implementation of trolley assist will significantly reduce diesel consumption and emissions from current mining trucks and provide a boost to the batteries of next-generation electrified models.
Toward an overarching goal to "develop mining for a better future," Antofagasta Minerals is collaborating with ABB to implement net-zero emissions haulage solutions at its copper mines in Chile.
Antofagasta's four mines produced 715,000 metric tons (146.3 million pounds) of copper last year, making it the fifth largest producer of this metal critical to energy transition.
With current and announced mining projects only expected to produce enough copper to meet roughly 70% of global demand by 2035, mining companies like Antofagasta are turning to technological solutions to increase productivity while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing this clean energy metal.
With a corporate goal to cut its carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Antofagasta is leveraging the mining automation and electrification expertise offered by ABB.
"Our shared vision in achieving more sustainable processes and operations in the mining industry drives us to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible," said Max Luedtke, global business line manager mining at ABB. "Industry collaboration is vital to achieving the progress needed to reduce the industry's environmental impact. As one of the industry's largest copper players, Antofagasta Mineral's support is invaluable to this pursuit."
The more than 700,000 metric tons of copper produced at its mines in Chile makes Antofagasta the world's fifth largest supplier of this metal critical to the energy transition.
Under a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the decarbonization of Antofagasta's copper mines in Chile, ABB will provide the Chilean miner with eMine consultative studies to map out the techno-economic optimum path to an all-electric mine – evaluating decarbonization technologies, impact on mine operation and design, as well as power distribution.
ABB and Antofagasta are also working together, as well as with third parties, to accelerate the development of net-zero-emission haulage solutions. This includes the implementation of ABB's eMine Trolley System.
By using electric motors to tow loaded mining trucks up steep grades, the eMine Trolley System has the capacity to reduce diesel consumption by up to 90% under certain conditions while lowering energy costs and overall environmental impact. As mines evolve away from diesel entirely, these same trolleys can be used to significantly extend the range of battery-electric haul trucks.
Implementation of trolley assist will significantly reduce diesel consumption and emissions from current mining trucks and provide a boost to the batteries of next-generation electrified models.
Antofagasta, which is testing a trolley system at its Los Pelambres copper mine, is already playing a pivotal role in pioneering electrical solutions for mining.
Seeing electrification as a key to its goal to "mine and produce copper in a socially and environmentally responsible manner," Antofagasta intends to continue to test trolley assist technologies and battery-powered trucks over the next few years.
ABB, which has been electrifying the mining sector for more than 130 years and is a global leader in electrification and automation technologies, is poised to assist Antofagasta in achieving its sustainability goals.
"Combined with ABB's holistic eMine framework, this is a major step towards achieving the all-electric mine of the future and fueling decarbonization efforts," said Luedtke. "We are fully invested in the collaborative journey to develop further solutions."
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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