The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - September 26, 2024
Liebherr unveiled the T 264 battery-electric autonomous haul truck at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas.
Liebherr R 9400 E electric excavator at MINExpo.
Liebherr and Fortescue are developing a battery-electric version of the PR 776 dozer.
MINEXPO INTERNATIONAL 2024, LAS VEGAS – Grabbing the spotlight during the world's largest mining event is no small feat. A historic $2.8 billion partnership to further advance the technologies needed for zero-emissions mining, however, put German heavy equipment manufacturer Liebherr and West Australian miner Fortescue front and center during the main event that comes around just once every four years.
On Sept. 24, these two companies raised the curtain on a carbon-free mining collaboration featuring nearly 500 zero-emissions Liebherr mining machines – more specifically, 360 autonomous battery-electric mining trucks, 55 electric excavators, and 60 battery-powered dozers – to be deployed at Fortescue mining operations.
Liebherr R 9400 E electric excavator at MINExpo.
"This is an important next step in our 2030 Real Zero target – to eliminate emissions from our Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade," said Fortescue Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest. "The world needs Real Zero now – it simply cannot afford to wait. The green solutions we need are here today, and Fortescue Zero is supplying them and rolling them out across our massive mining operations."
During a Sept. 25 presentation at MINExpo, Oliver Weiss, executive vice president of R&D, engineering, and production at Liebherr-Mining Equipment, confirmed that the zero-emissions autonomous mining trucks to be delivered to Fortescue are not prototypes or concepts.
"Liebherr and Fortescue will have a significant autonomous, fossil fuel free fleet in operation by the end of the decade," he said. "The first of the serial production machines will be operational in 2026."
The fleet of next-generation mining equipment that will help Fortescue deliver its 2030 Real Zero target includes 360 of the Liebherr T 264 battery-electric autonomous haul truck unveiled at MINExpo 2024.
"The T 264 is the foundation on which we are building our zero-emission and autonomous haulage solutions," Liebherr-Mining Equipment Executive Mining Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jӧrg Lukowski said during the presentation at MINExpo.
This 240-metric-ton behemoth displayed alongside other Liebherr machines at MINExpo underscores the innovations brought to the table by both companies, including a 3.2 megawatt-hour battery developed by Fortescue Zero.
"The T 264 battery-electric truck, powered by a Fortescue Zero battery power system, will be one of the first zero emissions solutions for mine haulage in operation globally," said Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto. "It combines Fortescue Zero's heritage of innovation, delivering a battery power system designed for best-in-class range and durability in all mining environments, with Liebherr's proven haul truck excellence."
The autonomous haulage system (AHS) co-developed by Liebherr and Fortescue and built into the T 264 truck on display at MINExpo includes an energy management system that fully utilizes the charger, coordinating static recharge assignments within a fleet so that the trucks do not get stuck in a queue.
"The fully integrated AHS will be a game changer for us in reducing our carbon emissions," Otranto added.
Weiss says a second version of the Fortescue Zero battery is being optimized for dynamic charging, allowing the battery-electric trucks to charge while connected to trolley assist or some other power supply while the trucks are on the move.
"As we build our experience in traditional trolley line technology, we are also pursuing alternative dynamic charging methods. One of these is Liebherr Power Rail, a truck class-agnostic trolley concept based on our proven trolley bar technology," Wiess said.
Toward the goal of helping Fortescue and its customers achieve their aggressive zero-emissions targets, Liebherr is applying the battery-electric technology developed for its trucks toward other traditionally diesel-burning earthmoving machines found on mine sites.
This includes a zero-emissions dozer being developed by the expanded Liebherr-Fortescue partnership.
Fortescue's battery power system is currently being integrated into an electric version of the Liebherr PR 776 dozer. With the capacity to push 24.2 cubic yards (18.5 cubic meters) of material per push, the PR 776 ranks amongst the top ten largest dozers available.
Liebherr and Fortescue are developing a battery-electric version of the PR 776 dozer.
Once the battery-electric PR 776 is developed, Liebherr will deliver 60 zero-emission dozers to Fortescue.
This historic zero-emissions mine fleet partnership also includes the supply of 55 Liebherr R 9400 E, the electric version of the German manufacturing company's 400-metric-ton excavators.
There are already nearly 100 Liebherr R 9400 E excavators in operation, including three at Fortescue's mine sites.
Lukowski says Liebherr is receiving orders for many more of these rugged electric earthmovers as the mining sector transitions to zero-carbon solutions.
Liebherr-Australia – Liebherr's sales and service company in the country – has already begun its preparations for supporting the fleet of 475 zero-emissions machines being delivered to Fortescue's iron ore hub in the Pilbara region of Western Australia under the $2.8 billion partnership.
"We are significantly ramping up investments in our branches, reman facilities and our people to ensure we have the capacity to safely and efficiently maintain not only this equipment but that of our other customers,' says Trent Wehr, managing director, Liebherr-Australia.
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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