It was again in March 2021 that IM first revealed Komatsu’s energy agnostic technique for its mining truck future. It dedicated to the event of ‘energy agnostic’ dump vans that would function with quite a lot of energy sources – resembling engines, batteries, trolley programs and hydrogen gasoline cells – by 2030. Since then it has made important progress, working carefully with its mining firm companions that kind a part of its GHG Alliance, which incorporates BHP, Rio Tinto, Codelco, Boliden, Glencore and others.
Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President, Electrical Drive Vehicles, Komatsu
This progress has been made each in testing and improvement of the truck iterations in addition to by means of strategic strikes – notably its November 2023 acquisition of American Battery Options, Inc (ABS), a battery producer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the December 2023 announcement that it’s co-developing a hydrogen gasoline cell energy module for Komatsu’s 930E electrical drive mining truck with Normal Motors.
At its Arizona Proving Grounds (AZPG) close to Tucson working with Siemens Mobility it constructed a take a look at trolley line, on which in mid-2023, the GHG Alliance members noticed a prototype battery model of the Energy Agnostic truck – the EVX truck – operating a circuit on battery, static charging of the battery with the truck hooked as much as the trolley line through pantograph, and a run up the trolley line highlighting the battery being charged and elevated velocity within the dynamic surroundings.
New trolley initiatives to assist decrease emissions from Komatsu diesel vans are underway at Glencore’s Lomas Bayas copper mine in Chile and different websites, plus have been efficiently constructed and operated at Copper Mountain in British Columbia, now a part of HudBay, utilizing 830E vans; and at Swakop Uranium’s Husab mine in Namibia utilizing the 960E.
As well as, within the mining shovels house, Komatsu is pushing the envelope with its largest cable electrical fashions – the P&H 4800 XPC having been efficiently commissioned at Teck Fording River Coal and at Anglo Platinum Mogalakewna, with one other order from a significant copper mine for a number of items in place. In hydraulic cable electrical excavators it stays the market chief – since its inaugural electrical hydraulic mining excavator deliveries in 1983, as of February 2024 it had equipped over 260 items, which had amassed greater than 12.5 million operation hours. This consists of items from its PC3000 to PC8000 fashions; and it’ll quickly develop its vary once more with the addition of the 900 t class PC9000. Added to that it already has important expertise in conversions from present diesel hydraulic excavators over to cable electrical.
Underground, Komatsu has now launched the second technology of its Z2 product line of small-class improvement drilling & bolting gear with distinctive enhancements and additions, together with the primary battery-electric choices inside Komatsu’s underground laborious rock portfolio – plus underground BEV loaders and vans are a part of its roadmap.
On the Electrical Mine 2024 convention at Crown Perth in Western Australia subsequent week, Might 21-23, Komatsu may have a significant presence, together with a big delegation plus it’s a Gold Sponsor with a outstanding exhibitor sales space, and it’s bringing a battery-electric PC210E excavator to the Outside Showcase. And it has two audio system within the occasion line-up – on Day 1 within the Floor Mining stream, Thomas Harsk, Komatsu Germany Enterprise Growth Supervisor, and Martin Luckock, Oceania Gross sales & Help Supervisor will current: ‘Digging deeper – electrification in hydraulic mining excavators. On Day 1 within the Underground Mining stream, Komatsu Mining’s VP Onerous Rock Enterprise Growth, Rudie Boshoff will current ‘Navigating the shift to electrified mining: essential issues for mines of the long run.’ You may nonetheless register to attend at www.theelectricmine.com.
Forward of the a lot anticipated convention, IM not too long ago caught up with Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President, Electrical Drive Vehicles, Komatsu, to get some insights into its electrification journey.
Q Again in 2021, Komatsu unveiled its energy agnostic technique carefully adopted by the Energy Agnostic truck at MINExpo 2021 after which the EVX. Whereas all battery, hybrid and hydrogen gasoline cell choices all appear to nonetheless be within the combine, the place at this stage does Komatsu see the best potential and demand?
Komatsu continues to be devoted to the ability agnostic platform. This method will allow us to remain adaptable because the market responds to and identifies essentially the most viable energy supply. At present the market is closely leaning towards full electrification by means of battery energy, however hydrogen gasoline cells are beginning to acquire traction with choose prospects.
Q Are you able to summarise the principle challenges that stay whether or not technical or sensible, delivering a functioning, multi-unit electrical fleet?
Komatsu realises that the change to all-electric fleet is especially centered on your entire ecosystem. We’re engaged on a number of initiatives with key companions to supply a complete ecosystem for mining. Autonomous, fleet administration and power administration all play an important function in making the transition to zero emissions profitable.
Q When does Komatsu anticipate to ship its first ‘palms on’ pilot items for patrons to check and trial at their very own websites? Do you see these as operating as a part of foremost fleets to get a deal with on capabilities?
Komatsu is working with choose prospects to check completely different applied sciences. The primary pilots of Energy Agnostic Diesel are deliberate for Q1 2025 and Energy Agnostic Battery for Q2 2026. The battery pilots will first be launched in a devoted space till miners are comfy with the brand new know-how and the related processes. As soon as they’re prepared, there can be a plan for integration into the principle fleet to show out fleet interoperability.
Q Dynamic charging is about to play an necessary function within the electrical mine, as evidenced by the variety of new trolley initiatives which were introduced for a few of the world’s largest mines. Do you anticipate most or the entire first electrical floor mines to contain trolley in some kind, easing any transition to higher use of fastened charging?
Komatsu sees dynamic charging as a key to sustaining productiveness in mining. Having the ability to cost dynamically will permit haul vans to repeatedly function to take care of productiveness in contrast with the present diesel fleet. We’re working with trade main companions to boost the product out there right now, whereas additionally trying to the long run for extra flexibility, decrease value and enhanced productiveness choices.
Q Can we anticipate any motion in full battery autos from Komatsu underground and might you give us a flavour of the Komatsu ‘inexperienced fleet’ roadmap for its underground portfolio?
We’re within the strategy of growing battery-electric gear to assist varied underground purposes. To study extra, go to us at The Electrical Mine 2024 at sales space 30 subsequent week and in September at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas at sales space 7132, Central Corridor.
