With an emphasis on continuous research and development (R&D), global technology company ABB is piloting new developments for its high-power stationary fast-charging solution, the eMine FastCharge – a fully automated charging solution designed for heavy-duty industrial battery electric vehicles.

The eMine FastCharge comprises two modules, the Electric Charging Module (ECM) and the Connector Terminal Module (CTM).

Both fully recognised and ready for the highest and most challenging environments, the modular design makes it easy to adapt to operational and infrastructure needs.

During a presentation on January 23, ABB Process Industries global eMine sales manager Ratna Kanth Dittakavi explained that ABB was piloting the eMine FastCharge with a fully automated robot that was able to reach the charging ports of the trucks from a distance of up to 2.6 m, which improves the connection and charging times, thereby improving overall productivity on the mine.

ABB’s high-power robot automated fast charger is a technology demonstrator to deliver high power to a ultrahigh-class mine haul truck with a charge time in minutes.

He said ABB had been testing the mechanical connection aspect of the robot automated connection device from November and would continue with tests until April this year, noting that the product was being tested in extreme weather conditions, in areas such as extreme desert and arctic conditions.

ABB eMINE

Through the introduction and development of its all electric mine offerings, ABB is working with mining companies globally to help drive electric transformation and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80%.

Dittakavi explained that the global mining industry was under pressure to transform and to decarbonise amid various global regulations, such as the Paris Agreement, climate change pressures and declining ore grades.

“Climate change is a very complex problem, and it needs complex solutions with strong company commitments towards it, and not a single company can solve this alone,” he said, emphasising the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders in creating sustainable roadmaps for mining operations.

Dittakavi noted, therefore, that mine electrification and automation were key to achieving global energy transition goals.

“Working with strong technology partners, mining companies and consultants is key for accelerating this technology development, adaption, implementation and operations,” he added.

With this in mind, Dittakavi discussed the role of ABB’s eMine offering, which offered a holistic approach to mine decarbonisation by bringing electrification technologies to mines, making fully electric mine operations possible.

A key component of the eMine offering was the diesel hybrid trolley system designed for heavy-duty vehicles and needed for inclined hauling, which was also suitable to be applied for fully battery electric vehicles for both charging and propulsion purposes.

ABB’s trolley systems can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, lowering energy costs and environmental impacts, improving the speed of the truck on an incline by up to two times.

The new design reduces complexity and installation time, making it more efficient for mine operations.

Additionally, Dittakavi explained that ABB had improved the design of its trolley system, aiming to make it modular, flexible and relocatable.