Posted by Paul Moore on eighth August 2024
Copper miner Antofagasta Minerals and ABB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to speed up decarbonisation initiatives by electrifying and automating mining operations in Chile. The collaboration goals to develop and implement a web zero emission haulage resolution by leveraging ABB’s experience in addition to its eMine options.
The mining business is striving to shut the hole in demand for copper pushed by the vitality transition, whereas concurrently wrangling the problem of decarbonising their very own operations. At present, anticipated mine provide from introduced tasks is predicted to fulfill solely 70% of copper necessities by 2035. Internet zero emission haul vans have been recognized as a key resolution for attaining massive scale decarbonisation for mines world wide. This collaboration between ABB and Antofagasta Minerals the companions say represents a big step towards advancing the adoption of electrification in mining and defining greatest apply for the business.
Below its function to “develop mining for a greater future,” Antofagasta Minerals is on the forefront of decarbonisation. It’s working in the direction of decreasing its emissions by 50% by 2035 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2050, having already diminished its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions by 928,000 tons.
By way of the event of the trolley trial at its Los Pelambres operation, the corporate has performed a pivotal position in advancing the implementation {of electrical} options within the mining ecosystem. Antofagasta Minerals expects electrification will current viable options for decreasing emissions in its haulage processes and is aiming to check battery powered vans and trolley help applied sciences within the subsequent few years.
ABB is supporting Antofagasta Minerals with its decarbonisation roadmap by supplying superior expertise options from its eMine portfolio. Particularly, the events intend to utilise ABB’s eMine consultative research to outline the techno-economic optimum for the all-electric mine, evaluating decarbonisation applied sciences, impression on mine operation and design, in addition to energy distribution.
Moreover, in recognition of the essential position web zero emission haul vans play in assembly the greenhouse fuel emission discount objectives, ABB and Antofagasta Minerals will collaborate, alongside different third events, to speed up the event of web zero emission haulage options. Antofagasta Minerals will act as an early adopter and take a look at web site for expertise and has dedicated to utilizing ABB’s eMine Trolley System.
The system is thought to scale back diesel consumption by as much as 90% in particular environments whereas reducing vitality prices and total environmental impression. This expertise not solely reduces emissions on the brief time period, but additionally permits the longer term implementation of battery expertise within the mining business.
“Our shared imaginative and prescient in attaining extra sustainable processes and operations within the mining business drives us to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s doable,” mentioned Max Luedtke, World Enterprise Line Supervisor Mining, ABB. “Trade collaboration is significant to attaining the progress wanted to scale back the business’s environmental impression. As one of many business’s largest copper gamers, Antofagasta Minerals’ help is invaluable to this pursuit. Mixed with ABB’s holistic eMine framework, this can be a main step in the direction of attaining the all-electric mine of the longer term and fuelling decarbonisation efforts. We’re absolutely invested within the collaborative journey to develop additional options.”
At The Electrical Mine 2024 in Perth, WA in Might, the place ABB was a Gold Sponsor, Tomás Nass, Decarbonization Supervisor, Antofagasta Minerals and Ratna Kanth Dittakavi, World eMine Gross sales Supervisor at ABB introduced on the Los Pelambres trolley mission which they’re partnering on. Nass mentioned: “Step one of the partnership was to construct a trial that would assist us perceive the potential impacts of constructing a trolley line in one of many copper mines that we presently have working in Chile. It’s necessary to say that there’s not a single trolley line presently working – and Antofagasta purchased doubtlessly the primary one to ever be put in within the nation…so the change administration of that’s going to be difficult in itself.”
He added: “We determined to place 800-1,000 m of trolley in one of many dump areas of Minera Los Pelambres…principally to check out are we actually going to ship the speeds which can be anticipated; the highway high quality that we must always anticipate out of the system to really preserve ther truck plugged into the system. What’s the width – is it going to vary, is it going to want a brand new mine design? What’s the time to assemble all this; what’s the potential impression of transferring it round.” Nass mentioned it is not uncommon in Chilean copper mining for foremost roads to solely final for about three years earlier than being moved. He mentioned the trolley line must be operational by 12 months finish/early 2025.
ABB can be a Platinum Sponsor on the forthcoming Electrical Mine 2025 occasion in Santiago, Chile, Might 13-15 at Centro Parque.
