Boliden opened its “almost fossil-free” Rävliden extension of the Kristineberg mine in Sweden in mid-May and, according to Epiroc, the 5-km electrified ramp haulage solution in place is already increasing productivity.
On May 16, the Rävliden extension of the Boliden Area’s Kristineberg mine was opened, with Sweden’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, in attendance.
Marking the delivery of one of Boliden’s most climate-focused investments to date, the new extension of Kristineberg is built with a completely fossil-free underground mining operation as the overarching objective.
This means a largely electrified vehicle fleet and infrastructure, including the 5-km electric trolley line for hauling the ore from a depth of 750 m to the surface.
In Epiroc’s June quarter results, released today, the company’s President and CEO, Helena Hedblom, said the trolley solution in place at the operation had increased productivity by 23%.
She added: “The truck speed up ramp is 50% higher, the maintenance cost is reduced by 25% and the energy regeneration to the battery when the truck goes downhill and/or is connected to the pantograph is unlimited.”
This electrified ramp haulage solution is the result of a collaboration between Boliden, ABB and Epiroc.
Epiroc provides the Minetruck MT42 SG Trolley trucks, which have been adapted from the OEM’s battery-electric Minetruck MT42 SG, featuring three battery subpacks as opposed to the standard five subpacks the battery-only machine is normally equipped with.
ABB and others provide the supporting infrastructure. The on-board truck infrastructure includes ABB’s DC-DC converter, HES880 inverters and AMXE motors to enhance the power of the machine, while there are off-board rectifier substations for the track. The ABB Ability™ System 800xA® monitors and controls the electrical system, while Siemens provided on-board hardware for the MT42 SG Trolley truck.
Outside of the battery trolley solution, Boliden is also using, or plans to use, a number of battery-electric production and support machines to achieve its end goal of fossil-free operations at Rävliden.
During the opening in May, Kristineberg Mine Manager, Erik Fjällström, said: “I’m so happy and proud of what we have accomplished. This new part of Kristineberg consumes 80% less diesel than a conventional underground mine and that makes a huge difference for our climate footprint. However, we are aiming for 100% fossil-free and continue to push both ourselves and our suppliers to achieve this.”
