MINExpo 2024 marks the three-year anniversary since the official launch of ABB’s pioneering eMine™ purposeful and holistic concept of methods and solutions designed to accelerate the energy transition in mining. Since its launch at MINExpo 2021 edition, ABB has been at the forefront of mine decarbonization, signing collaborations with major industry partners and undertaking ambitious studies and projects to electrify operations for some of the world’s foremost mining organizations.
It all started at Boliden’s Aitik mine, where working with partners, the Trolley System first became a reality, setting the foundations of our eMine™ offering. Since then, it has been piloted at the Aitik Extension, Kevitsa, and the Kevitsa Extension. Meanwhile, in Canada, the system has supported Copper Mountain to reduce its carbon emissions by 90 percent* for the electrified trucks running on trolley, compared to the diesel-powered trucks. In collaboration with partners Boliden and Epiroc, ABB also successfully deployed the world’s first fully battery-electric trolley truck system on an 800-meter-long underground mine test track with a 13 percent incline in Sweden. Most recently, Antofagasta Minerals and ABB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate decarbonization initiatives by electrifying and automating mining operations in Chile.
Combined with its consultative services, the eMine™ portfolio empowers mining companies with the confidence to achieve real progress in sustainability efforts without sacrificing business success, with fully integrated electrification and automation systems from mine to port.
ABB has been calling for collaboration since the earliest stage, including with Hitachi Construction Machinery back in March 2021, and more recently, a strategic agreement with Komatsu, are among those to have combined expertise and resources with ABB to champion the development of solutions that will help move net zero emissions for heavy industrial machinery a step closer to reality.
In Western Australia, consultation between IGO Limited, Perenti, and ABB saw a one-of-a-kind study into mine design optimization, fleet selection, and infrastructure design suggests that in the future, battery electric vehicles could compare with diesel vehicles when it comes to productivity and cost over the life of a mine.
eMine™ has garnered the attention of mining companies around the world. Awareness of the solution sits at 72% according to a recent survey from ABB. The industry’s recognition of the portfolio is a testament of its appetite to drive sustainability and seek out new and innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Have you heard about ABB's eMine™?
“We are proud to be celebrating eMine™’s evolution and expansion over the past three years since its launch,” said Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB. “From electrified trolley systems and fast charging solutions to consultive services, eMine™ is equipped with the technologies best suited to transform mining operations into something more sustainable. Looking to the future, we are excited to see what further collaboration and expansion on the portfolio brings on the journey to all-electric mine.”
ABB will be in attendance at MINExpo 2024 and can be found at booth 8601 in the Central Hall, showcasing various aspects of the eMine™ portfolio. In addition, its brand-new technology demonstrator – the eMine™ Robot Automated Connected Device ACD – will be available to view at the Komatsu booth. Stay tuned!
*90% reduction in carbon emissions for the electrified trucks running on trolley, compared to the diesel-powered trucks.
