Abstract
Diesel-powered equipment is a backbone of modern underground metal mining. Despite its numerous advantages, emissions of exhaust gases and heat constitute a serious concern with regards to ventilation and its cost, particularly in deep mines. Moreover, regulations concerning the use of diesel engines underground become more and more stringent and restrictive. In these circumstances, electric truck haulage may provide an interesting solution to alleviate at least some of these problems. This paper focuses on a feasibility of using battery- and trolley-powered electric trucks as alternative to diesel ones in deep metal mines. It presents basic technical parameters and operational features of both types of electric trucks. Based on the information available from technical literature, manufacturers and end users of electric trucks, the authors review and discuss technical, operational and practical aspects (including health and safety issues) of electric and diesel drivetrains in different mine scenarios (mining methods, production volume, mine life, etc.). Cost aspects are also briefly covered. Based on that, it is concluded that although nowadays electric trucks are far from being a universal solution for underground metal mines, in some conditions they have a potential to be quite competitive with regard to diesel-powered equipment. The paper provides some recommendations over potentially interesting scenarios, where electric trucks may become a viable alternative to conventional diesel equipment.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atlas Copco product information, http://www.atlascopco.ca/Images/Spec%20MT5020%209851%202542%2001g_tcm795-1543776.pdf
RDH Mining Equipment product information, http://www.rdhminingequipment.com/_mndata/rdhm/uploaded_files/HAULMASTER%20800-20EB%20EVOLUTION%20HAUL%20TRUCK%20BROCHURE%20R.23.04.13.pdf (retrieved in July 2013)
VM Veicoli Minerari product information, http://www.vmsrl.com/dumperingl.htm (retrieved in July 2013)
Fitzsimmons, K.: Private communication (2013)
Sandvik Mining product information, http://mining.sandvik.com/sandvik/0120/Global/Internet/S003137.nsf/LUSL/SLFrameForm1DD8853941274A78BC1257965003C972E?OpenDocument (retrieved in July 2013)
Anon, Breakthrough for Kiruna Electric. Särtryck ur Bergsmannen (February 1989)
Anon, Electric haulage trucks. ABB Review, p. 17 (October 1995)
Aughney, J.: Navan looks to better days under Spanish sun, Independent (1999), http://www.independent.ie/business/navan-looks-to-better-days-under-spanish-sun-26132730.html (retrieved in July 2013)
Anon, Electric Truck Haulage in North America. Engineering and Mining Journal, 58–59 (November 2009)
Anon, Stillwater runs deep. International Mining, 8–18 (September 2011)
Tollinsky, N.: Coleman upgrades to AC-powered trucks. Sudbury Mining Solutions (November 2011)
Bouillon, A.: Private communication (2013)
Poxleitner, G.: Private communication (2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Paraszczak, J., Fytas, K., Laflamme, M. (2014). Feasibility of Using Electric Trucks in Deep Metal Mines. In: Drebenstedt, C., Singhal, R. (eds) Mine Planning and Equipment Selection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02678-7_122
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02678-7_122
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-02677-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-02678-7
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)