Autonomous Electric Loaders Debut in North America – Electrek
Swedish company Sandvik has recently deployed two fully autonomous Toro LH518iB battery-electric underground loaders at the New Gold Inc. New Afton mine in British Columbia, Canada.
According to Sandvik, these new 18-ton loaders have been in operation since mid-November, initially working in a specific part of the mine’s Lift 1 footwall. The plan is to relocate them to the C-Zone by the new year for regular service.
In a LinkedIn post, Sandvik emphasized the significance of these loaders as North America’s first fully automated battery-electric loaders. This move highlights the potential of automation and electrification in the mining industry.
The addition of these loaders at New Afton mine is expected to improve cycle times, reduce heat, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions at the block cave mine, which is currently the only one of its kind in Canada.
The trend towards electric equipment in mining operations is gaining momentum with companies like Sandvik leading the way by showcasing that electric machinery is capable of handling the demands of the industry. The shift is fueled by the increasing demand for materials like nickel, lithium, and phosphates, combined with the environmental advantages of electrification and the need to address operator shortages through autonomous technology.
This shift towards electric and autonomous equipment is causing existing machinery to become obsolete at a faster rate. While some companies are exploring the possibility of converting existing vehicles to electric or hydrogen-powered, the prevailing expectation is that more companies will opt to purchase new equipment more frequently in the coming years.
Furthermore, as the market for electric mining equipment grows, the likelihood of autonomous machinery becoming more prevalent also increases.
For more insights on the market outlook for autonomous and electric mining equipment, you can refer to previous analyses by industry experts. If you’re curious about the future of electric mining equipment, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
