July tech talk: Mine Electrification – What technology is available now, and how do the costs stack up?

Join the Sydney Branch for their July tech talk: Mine Electrification – What technology is available now, and how do the costs stack up?

About this event

Mine electrification options have traditionally been considered to take advantage of inexpensive electricity, for a net cost benefit - for example, In Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC), trolley assist truck haulage and shaft hoisting. They generally come with a high upfront capital cost and require a long mine life and high production rates to justify.

An increased focus on decarbonisation has resulted in mining companies considering the potential applications of mine electrification. Concurrently, the rapid development of lithium-ion battery technology now provides an electrification option that combines the flexibility of diesel equipment with the reduced operating costs and emission reduction benefits of electric equipment.

This presentation will discuss the various mine electrification options available, or expected to become commercially available in the next 5-10 years, with a focus on emerging battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology. The intricacies of operating BEVs in open pit and underground mines will be discussed, including static and dynamic charging, battery swapping and opportunity charging.

The presentation will consider the corresponding capital and operating costs, potential productivity benefits, and additional infrastructure requirements (electrical distribution and charging, network connectivity and electrical management systems). The significant ventilation and cooling savings possible for underground mines, as well as the significant health benefits through the removal of diesel particulate matter (DPM) will be reviewed.

Program
5.30pm - 5.45pm: Arrival and networking
5.45pm - 5.50pm: Welcome and introductions
5.50pm - 6.35pm: Presentation
6.35pm - 7.10pm: Q&A
7.10pm - 8.30pm: Canapes, refreshments and networking

Speaker/s

Sarah de Vries

MAusIMM

Principal Consultant, Snowden Optiro

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Sarah is an experienced underground and open pit mining engineer, with significant operational and study experience. For the last 8 years she has specialised in mine electrification, including 5 years of open pit trolley assist design and operational experience with First Quantum Minerals in Zambia, 6 months providing trolley assist expertise to Fortescue in Australia, and 15 months at IGO Limited in Australia working on the Cosmos Underground Electrification Study. She was co-author of the IGO / Perenti / ABB White Paper “Making electrified underground mining a reality”, published in 2024.